Japan Series Writing Desk EU02 in Teak by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, Netherlands
About the Item
- Creator:Cees Braakman (Designer),Pastoe (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.35 in (72 cm)Width: 61.82 in (157 cm)Depth: 31.11 in (79 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1955
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. not lockable anymore.
- Seller Location:Halle, DE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2998316034642
Cees Braakman
Revered Dutch mid-century modernist designer Cees Braakman had been creating furniture since his teenage years when he was promoted to head of design at UMS Pastoe in 1948. Today’s vintage furniture enthusiasts know that Braakman found inspiration in works by Scandinavian artisans such as Alvar Aalto and Herman Miller luminaries Charles and Ray Eames — Braakman’s clean-lined dining chairs, sleek sideboards and other case pieces are demonstrative of those influences.
UMS Pastoe was established in 1913 by German-Jewish entrepreneur Frits Loeb and became rapidly successful largely owing to its reputation for well-made tables and chairs. However, the Dutch brand is best known by collectors for the modular sideboards, storage cabinets and other spare, streamlined case pieces that it produced during the postwar years.
The Utrecht-born Braakman took over for his father, Dirk, who had by then been managing the company for more than 20 years and had designed a variety of furnishings for the manufacturer by himself. A year before he assumed his new role at Pastoe, Cees visited the United States where he became enamored with the designs of Charles and Ray Eames and the other creative minds associated with legendary American furniture manufacturer Herman Miller.
While many Dutch designers who are now celebrated by vintage furniture collectors — names like Gerrit Rietveld and Friso Kramer are in this list — found inspiration in Piet Mondrian and the country’s De Stijl art movement, they also looked to Scandinavian modernists such as Alvar Aalto and Americans such as the Eameses. Cees Braakman was no different.
Braakman’s 1940s-era tour to the States included a visit to the Herman Miller factory in Zeeland, Michigan. At the time, architect-designer-journalist George Nelson was director of design at the firm and had enlisted a range of designers to collaborate with Herman Miller and create what are now icons of mid-century modernism. Braakman took notice of industrial manufacturing techniques at HM and in particular, the company’s innovations in furniture design owing to experimentation with molded plywood and fiberglass-reinforced plastic.
The Dutch designer introduced the first line of modern furniture at UMS Pastoe thereafter — a table, a chair, a bed and more created in molded plywood and featuring oak veneers, specifically tailored for smaller living spaces. Braakman was convinced that Pastoe should move on from the restrictions that a collection or set of furniture presented to consumers.
Furniture for a bedroom, for example, should be practical and built as individual pieces that could be adapted as more space became available. New production methods and creative marketing came into focus under Braakman’s leadership, and his own lines of oak and birch furniture — which were created around cupboards that could be reconfigured as needed, or armchairs that could be combined to form a sofa — earned acclaim and were commercially very successful.
UMS Pastoe was recognized for its innovative furniture at the Milan Triennial in 1957 and Le Signe d’Or in Belgium, and Cees Braakman’s work can today be found at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam.
Find vintage Cees Braakman furniture on 1stDibs.
Pastoe
Dutch furniture company UMS Pastoe was established in 1913 by German-Jewish entrepreneur Frits Loeb and became rapidly successful largely owing to its reputation for well-made tables and chairs. Today, however, the brand is best known by collectors for the modular sideboards, storage cabinets and other spare, streamlined case pieces that it produced during the postwar years.
Influential mid-century modernist designer Cees Braakman had been creating furniture since his teenage years when he was promoted to head of design at Pastoe in 1948. The Utrecht-born designer took over for his father, Dirk Braakman, who had by then been managing the company for more than 20 years and had designed a variety of furnishings for the manufacturer by himself. A year before he assumed his new role at Pastoe, Cees visited the United States where he became enamored with the designs of Charles and Ray Eames and the other creative minds associated with legendary American furniture manufacturer Herman Miller.
While many Dutch designers who are now celebrated by vintage furniture collectors — names like Gerrit Rietveld and Friso Kramer are in this list — found inspiration in Piet Mondrian and the country’s De Stijl art movement, they also looked to Scandinavian modernists such as Alvar Aalto and Americans such as the Eameses. Cees Braakman was no different.
Braakman’s 1940s-era tour to the States included a visit to the Herman Miller factory in Zeeland, Michigan. At the time, architect-designer-journalist George Nelson was director of design at the firm and had enlisted a range of designers to collaborate with Herman Miller and create what are now icons of mid-century modernism. Braakman took notice of industrial manufacturing techniques at HM and in particular, the company’s innovations in furniture design owing to experimentation with molded plywood and fiberglass-reinforced plastic.
The Dutch designer introduced the first line of modern furniture at UMS Pastoe thereafter — a table, a chair, a bed and more created in molded plywood and featuring oak veneers, specifically tailored for smaller living spaces. Braakman was convinced that Pastoe should move on from the restrictions that a collection or set of furniture presented to consumers. Furniture for a bedroom, for example, should be practical and built as individual pieces that could be adapted as more space became available. New production methods and creative marketing came into focus under Braakman’s leadership, and his own lines of oak and birch furniture — which were created around cupboards that could be reconfigured as needed, or armchairs that could be combined to form a sofa — earned acclaim and were commercially very successful.
UMS Pastoe was recognized for its innovative furniture at the Milan Triennial in 1957 and Le Signe d’Or in Belgium, and Cees Braakman’s work can today be found at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. Over the years, designers such as Jan van Grunsven, Radboud Van Beekum and Rob Eckhardt collaborated with UMS Pastoe.
Find vintage UMS Pastoe furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Rödinghausen, Germany
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Flip-Top Desk by Jens Quistgaard for Peter Lovig Nielsen in OakwoodBy Lovig Dansk, Jens QuistgaardLocated in Halle, DEFlip-Top Desk by Jens Quistgaard for Peter Løvig Nielsen, Denmark. A top example of the mid century danish design movement. The top piece/shelf is hinged and the table can be converted in a larger working...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsOak
- Senator 3-Seat Sofa in Teak by Ole Wanscher for France and Son, DenmarkBy Ole Wanscher, France & SønLocated in Halle, DEScandinavian senator 3-seat sofa in teakwood, designed by Ole Wanscher and manufactured by France and Son, Denmark. Cushions have been reupholstered with fabrics by JAB Anstötz. Man...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsTeak
- Pair of Kai Kristiansen Paper Knive Chairs by Magnus Olesen in Teak, DenmarkBy Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated in Halle, DEPair of Danish armchairs, designed 1955 by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen. Model Nr. 121. So called „Paper Knive Chairs“. Executed in Teakwood with original green fabrics. Both ch...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsTeak
- Elegant Pair of Scandinavian Senator Easy Chairs by Ole Wanscher in Teak DenmarkBy Ole Wanscher, France & SønLocated in Halle, DESet of two scandinavian Senator armchairs in teakwood, designed by Ole Wanscher and manufactured by France and Son, Denmark. Cushions have been reupholstered with fabrics by JAB Anst...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsTeak
- Borge Mogensen Teak Chest of Drawers / Shelf for Soborg Mobelfabrik, 1960sBy Børge MogensenLocated in Halle, DEMidcentury Borge Mogensen Cupboard Elements in teak wood. Chest of Drawers and Shelf on top. Both pieces are stamped with manufacturer’s stamp and “Made in Denmark”. Chest of drawers...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves
MaterialsTeak
- Scandinavian Kengu Sofa in Brown Leather by Solheim for Rykken, NorwayBy Rybo RykkenLocated in Halle, DEScandinavian 3-seat Kengu Sofa by Elsa and Nordahl Solheim. Manufactured by Rybo Rykken & Co. Norway, 1970s. Upholstered in original brown or caramel leather. Cantilevered constructi...Category
Vintage 1970s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- “Japanese Series” Desk by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, Netherlands 1960By Cees Braakman, PastoeLocated in Amsterdam, NLA beautiful Dutch design desk from the highly wanted Japanese Series designed by Cees Braakman, manufactured by Pastoe in the Netherlands, circa 1960. This stunning desk is made of ...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Cees Braakman for Pastoe Desk in Teak and MetalBy Cees Braakman, PastoeLocated in Waalwijk, NLCees Braakman for Pastoe, desk, teak, brushed metal, The Netherlands, 1950s. Modest designed desk by Dutch designer Cees Braakman for Pastoe. The table top and drawer compartment are executed in teak. Curved plywood is used to furnish the inner part of the three different drawers, each with a metal handle. A modern exterior...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Desk by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1960sBy Cees Braakman, PastoeLocated in Lasne, BEWood and black metal desk with 6 drawers, 2 of which have a lock. No key. Wear due to time and age of the desk. Stamped Pastoe.Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Cees Braakman Pastoe Desk 60'sBy Cees Braakman, PastoeLocated in Bunnik, NLA neat desk designed by Cees Braakman for the Pastoe label. An extremely rare model with two cabinets on metal legs. The desk is veneered, the internal drawers have been renovated. A...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBentwood
- Mid Century Cees Braakman EB04 Birch Pastoe DeskBy Cees Braakman, PastoeLocated in Appeltern, GelderlandBeautiful writing desk designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe in the early 50s. This EB04 desk is part of the ‘Birch Series’. It has 3 drawers on the left and on the right a door with ...Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBirch
- Cees Braakman Japanese Series Teak Dining Table for Pastoe w/ Black Metal FrameBy Cees Braakman, PastoeLocated in Los Angeles, CACees Braakman designed Japanese series dining table for Pastoe with black enameled metal frame and inset teak top. In original condition with some wear, consistent with age and use. ...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsMetal