Created by Dutch industrial designer Friso Kramer (1922–2019) in 1953, the lightweight, simple, curved sheet steel and plastic four-legged Revolt chair is among the Netherlands’ most revered pieces of furniture, and yet its author remains relatively unknown. Kramer’s works shaped many different spheres of Dutch life, from mailboxes to streetlights to furniture, and revolutionized postwar design. According to him, “If form does not contribute to function, it has no right to exist.”
Friso Kramer was the son of famous architect Piet Kramer and got his own start studying architecture and interior design at Amsterdam’s Institute of Applied Art. After 1948, Kramer worked as a designer at furniture manufacturer Ahrend de Cirkel and later cofounded the highly influential design studio Total Design. In the 1950s, Kramer became involved in the Stichting Goed Wonen (Good Living Foundation), whose mission was to aid with reconstruction after the war and to improve the general lack of style and materials during this time. It was also during this time that he began designing several metal and plastic chairs, among them the Revolt chair, which became one of the first mass-produced pieces of furniture and a darling of Dutch mid-century modernism.
The Revolt chair was exhibited at the Milan Triennial in 1954. Its construction reflected modern-day research in ergonomics and was widely used in private homes as well as public spaces. Over time, the versatile Revolt chair has become one of Kramer’s most recognizable designs. Following a couple of relaunches, it is still in production today by Royal Ahrend.
Examples of the Revolt chair are in the permanent collection of the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam and the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen in Rotterdam, which devoted an exhibition to Kramer’s work in 1991. Kramer’s contribution to postwar design was honored with the title Royal Designer for Industry by the Royal Society of Arts in London in 1979.
Friso Kramer Revolt chairs Ahrend duo tone Netherlands 1953
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This set of four rare duo-tone Revolt chairs, designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel in Holland in 1953, is a fine example of Dutch industrial design. Although the Revolt chai...
Metal
Friso Kramer Revolt Chairs for Ahrend de Cirkel 1963
By Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Super nice and scarce set 6 Revolt chairs designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland 1953. Though the Revolt chair was already designed in 1953, the production started in...
Metal
Friso Kramer ‘Revolt’ Chair in Matte Red Lacquered Ciranol and Metal
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Friso Kramer for Cirkel Ahrend, chair, ciranol, metal, The Netherlands, design 1953 This chair named ‘Revolt’ is designed by the Dutch designer Friso Kramer (1922-2019) that receive...
Metal
Friso Kramer Revolt chairs wood for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1963
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Super nice set of eight revolt dining chairs designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland, 1953. Though the Revolt chair was already designed in 1953, the production starte...
Metal
Set of Four Mid-Century Modern Friso Kramer 'Result' Chairs, 1960
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 Mid-Century Friso Kramer 'Result' chairs with molded teak plywood seat and back rests. Designed by renowned Dutch designer Friso Kramer while at Ahrend de Cirkel, these ligh...
Metal
Set of 6 Revolt Chairs by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Netherlands, 1956
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Steenwijk, NL
The 'Revolt' chair was designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel. An award winning design that has become an icon of Dutch industrial design from the 1950's. This solid chair has...
Metal
$9,600Sale Price / set|40% Off
Extremely Rare Set of 8 Friso Kramer 'theatre' Chairs with Fold Up Seats
By Friso Kramer
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
In 1959 Friso Kramer transformed his 1953 Revolt chair into his absolute masterpiece, the 'theatre" chair, a Revolt chair that was linkable, stackable with a fold up seat for use mai...
Steel
Friso Kramer Revolt Folding Chair for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1953
By Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare Revolt folding chair designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland 1953. Though the Revolt chair was already designed in 1953, the production started in 1958. The chair...
Metal
$11,973 / set
Set of six rare Friso Kramer Revolt theater chairs
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A stunning set of folding and stackable Revolt chairs by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel. This exceptionally rare set was designed in 1953 and produced for only four years. The des...
Metal
Set of Six Early Edition Red Friso Kramer Revolt Chairs with Black Frames
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Originally designed in 1953 by possibly the greatest of all Dutch Mid-Century designers, Friso Kramer, and created for renowned furniture maker Ahrend de Cirkel The Revolt was intend...
Steel
Set of Six Adjustable Architect Stools Designed by Friso Kramer
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Antwerp, BE
Adjustable and swivel Industrial architect stools with seats are made in plywood, the base in gray lacquered metal.-The height is adjustable from 55 cm...
Metal
Friso Kramer Revolt chair TH Delft Ahrend Netherlands 1958
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Revolt Chair designed by Friso Kramer and manufactured by Ahrend de Cirkel in The Netherlands 1953. This rare first production Revolt chair is one of the most significant examples of...
Metal
'Revolt' Chair by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, the Netherlands, 1953
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Steenwijk, NL
The 'Revolt' chair was designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel. An award winning design that has become an icon of Dutch industrial design from the 1950s. The chair has a folde...
Metal
Friso Kramer Revolt for TH Delft by Ahrend de Cirkel 1958 Arms
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare first production Revolt armchair designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland, 1953. This chair was made for the TH Delft who commissioned Friso Kramer and Ahrend to decorate the new interior. These famous TH Delft chairs...
Metal
Friso Kramer Revolt Chairs Set 1953 Black Blue Liver Colors
By Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Nice set of six Revolt chairs designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland 1953. Though the Revolt chair was already designed in 1953, the production started in 1958. The c...
Metal
Friso Kramer Revolt chairs teak The Netherlands 1960
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Super nice set of 6 original Revolt dining chairs designed by Friso Kramer and manufactured by Ahrend de Cirkel, The Netherlands 1953. Though the Revolt chair was already designed in...
Metal
Set of Four Mid Century Yellow Chairs, Europe, 1960s.
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Set of four beautiful chairs called "stick insect" produced in the 1960s after a complete upholstery and refreshing of the woodwork, comfortable and stabl...
Textile, Beech
$2,873 / set
H 29.14 in W 19.69 in D 11.82 in
Set of Six Adjustable Architect Stools Designed by Friso Kramer
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Antwerp, BE
Adjustable and swivel Industrial architect stools with seats are made in plywood, the base in gray lacquered metal.-The height is adjustable from 55 cm...
Metal
$2,873 / set
H 31.11 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
1970's Vintage Retro 6 Gert de Lange for Thornet ''The Flex'' Chairs
By Thonet, Gerd Lange
Located in amstelveen, NL
Set of 8 chairs designed by Gert De Lange and made by Thornet, the chair was call ''The Flex'' chair and was awarded the 'Gute Form' price in 1969, black...
Plastic
$495
H 23 in W 15.25 in D 13.25 in
Mid-Century Friso Kramer Adjustable Height Drafting Stool, Blonde Plywood
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Backless drafting stool designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel features blonde plywood seat mounted on enameled metal pedestal base. Height adjusts from 16 to 23 inches via or...
Metal, Enamel
$2,200
H 38.98 in W 27.56 in D 21.66 in
Italian Alberto Meda Office Chair for Vitra in Red Leather 1990
By Alberto Meda, Vitra
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Red Leather and aluminium adjstable office chair by Alberto Meda for Vitra 1990 Perfect working condition.
Aluminum
Industrial Stool Attributed to Friso Kramer
By Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The stool features a sturdy metal frame in a sleek and minimalist design, typical of mid-century industrial furniture. The swivel mechanism allows for easy movement and adjustability...
Metal
$7,183 / set
H 29.93 in W 20.08 in D 19.3 in
Vico Magistretti Midcentury “Carimate” Dining Chair for Cassina, 1963, Set of 4
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of 4 “Carimate” chairs designed by Vico Magistretti and produced by Cassina in 1963. Initially commissioned for the Carimate Golf club near Milan, they were then produced for t...
Beech, Straw
Herman Miller Office Chair in Red Fabric
By Herman Miller
Located in bari, IT
Herman Miller office chair in red fabric from late 1980s.
Metal
From $1,071 / set
+ 18 moreH 31.11 in W 21.66 in D 21.26 in
Mariolina Chair in Anthracite Metal Legs, Silk Gray Shell, by E-GGs
By Miniforms, E-GGS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Mariolina chair is offered with iron legs in anthracite, a shell in polypropylene silk grey and the option to select an upholstered cushion material for your chair. The iron leg...
Metal
$4,250 / set
H 31.75 in W 18.75 in D 21 in
Wim Rietveld 'Pyramid' Chairs for Ahrend de Cirkel, Set of 4, 1960s
By Wim Rietveld, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare set of four 'Pyramid' chairs designed by Wim Rietveld in 1959 and produced by Dutch manufacturer Ahrend de Cirkel. Each chair features molded teak plywood seats and backrests mo...
Metal
$814 / set
H 38.98 in W 22.05 in D 22.05 in
Set of Four Mid-Century Modern Windsor Chairs, Beech Wood, UK, 1960
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
This set of four Windsor chairs, featuring a more modern design, is in good condition. The mahogany coloured wood of the chairs shows a light patina, and all joints are sound. The ch...
Beech
Set of 2 chairs by Ahrend RIB, The Netherlands 1964
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This rare set of 2 chairs was designed for Ahrend RIB in The Netherlands and made in 1964. They are marked with 2 stamps. One of the producer, Ahrend R.I.B. and one stamp with the da...
Metal
Sold
H 32.09 in W 18.31 in D 16.74 in
Set of 4 Mid-Century Modern Chairs "Revolt" by Friso Kramer for Ahrend
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Doornspijk, NL
The Revolt chair was designed by Friso Kramer in 1953 and has since become an icon of Dutch Design. The chairs used to be omnipresent in government buildings and universities. Nowada...
Steel
Sold
H 31.89 in W 17.72 in D 19.69 in
Revolt dining chairs by Friso Kramer for Ahrend, Netherlands 1960s
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in ECHT, NL
Iconic industrial chair. Designed by Dutch designer Friso Kramer in 1954. the chairs were produced by Ahrend de Cirkel. The seat and back are made from Ciranol. A high density compac...
Steel
Sold
H 31.89 in W 17.72 in D 19.69 in
Friso Kramer Revolt chair red black Ahrend de Cirkel The Netherlands 1953
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Very nice “Revolt” chair designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, The Netherlands 1953. This chair has an original folded black lacquered metal frame and a red ciranol seat and...
Metal
Sold
H 31.89 in W 17.72 in D 19.69 in
Friso Kramer Revolt chair red grey Ahrend de Cirkel The Netherlands 1953
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Very nice “Revolt” chair designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, The Netherlands 1953. This chair has an original folded light grey lacquered metal frame and a red ciranol sea...
Metal
Friso Kramer Revolt Folding Chair for Sandra
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Super rare set of Revolt folding chairs designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland 1953. Though the Revolt chair was already designed in 1953, the production started in 1...
Metal
Sold
H 31.89 in W 17.72 in D 18.12 in
Set/6 Friso Kramer Revolt Chairs Ahrend the Circkel the Netherlands, 1960s
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Almelo, NL
Set/6 Friso Kramer Revolt chairs Ahrend the Circkel the Netherlands 1960s Friso Kramer "Revolt" chairs for Ahrend de Cirkel designed in 1953. Light grey, nearly white folded sheet ...
Metal
Friso Kramer Revolt Chairs Set Ahrend the Netherlands 1960
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Iconic set of 6 so called 'Revolt' chairs designed by Friso Kramer and manufactured by Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland 1960s. Though the Revolt chair was already designed in 1953, the prod...
Metal
Sold
H 31.89 in W 17.72 in D 19.69 in
Set early ‘Revolt’ chairs by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1958
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rare set early ‘Revolt’ chairs by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, The Netherlands 1958. These chairs features a metal base and ciranol ...
Metal, Steel
Friso Kramer 'Revolt' Chair in Pink Velvet
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Newly Upholstered Pink Velvet Friso Kramer 'Revolt' Chair with Black Enameled Metal Frame. Classic Design with Youthful Pop! Frame in Original Condition with Wear Consistent with its...
Metal
Set of 4 Friso Kramer Revolt Chairs with Grey Metal Frames
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Originally designed in 1953 by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel. The Revolt is Widely Considered by the Dutch to be the Perfect Chair. A System of Folding Sheet Steel was Developed ...
Steel
Sold
H 29.73 in Dm 47.45 in
Friso Kramer Early Edition Revolt Chairs + Rare Matching Round Reform Table 1953
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
4 Revolt chairs and a matching round Reform table by Dutch designer Friso Kramer for Ahrend De Cirkel Friso Kramer is considered as the Dutch Jean Prouve and made his design for t...
Aluminum, Sheet Metal
Friso Kramer Plywood 'Revolt' Chair
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Midcentury Friso Kramer 'Revolt' chair with lightly refinished plywood seating on light grey enameled metal frame. Frame in original condition with visible scratches and wear consist...
Metal
