Gerrit Rietveld, Steltman Chair / Authentic

This chair is the last piece Rietveld had designed. It was commissioned by The Hague jeweller for whom Rietveld had also done the shop interior project in 1963. The project had two opposite asymmetrical chairs which complement each other and carry a symbolic, as they were used for selection of wedding rings. The one we offer is the right-handed version. The original chair was completely upholstered with rubber foam and covered with white imitation leather, the seams of which ran along the edges of the wood. The version with the wooden seat was only produced after Rietveld’s death in 1964. With this last and more simple version, which was produced by Groenekan before 1971, the designer created one of the most striking pieces of furniture in the history of design. Gerard A. van de Groenekan began working in Gerrit Rietveld’s workshop in Utrecht in 1917 at the age of fourteen. In 1924, Rietveld decided to concentrate on architecture and left furniture production in the hands of van de Groenekan, who then continued to build many of Rietveld’s models, including older ones, under his own name. Van de Groenekan played a decisive role in the development of many designs, including this version of the Steltman chair with its wooden seat. All parts are authentic. They have never been repainted to preserve the value of the item and its authenticity.

I think this piece blends well with many interior styles. As a chair with a strong character and an expressive shape, it is an uncompromising part of each interior.

P! Galerie’s selection is mainly focused on design masterpieces between 1918 and 1970. Apart from rare French mid-century modern design artefacts by Pierre Jeanneret, Jean Prouvé, Le Corbusier, and Charlotte Perriand, our offer includes masterpieces of historic importance and value by Gerrit Rietveld, Lina Bo Bardi, Marcel Breuer, Oscar Niemeyer, or, for example, Eileen Gray. Following all ethical and juridical requirements, all items from our carefully curated collection come with a certificate of authenticity. We try to preserve as much of patina as possible during the process of restoration, as it defines these historic pieces. Not only do we cooperate with museums and offer auction houses our services and expert opinion, we also look forward to welcoming you as a private collector and connoisseur.

Literature:

Daniele Baroni, The Furniture of Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, (New York: B E S Pub Co, 1978), 158.

Peter Voge, ‘The Complete Rietveld Furniture’ (Rotterdam: 010 Uitgeverij, 1993), 166.

Marijke Kuper and Ida van Zijl, ‘Gerrit Rietveld: The Complete Works 1888-1964’ (Utrecht: Centraal Museum Utrecht, 1992), 332, 341.

Ida van Zijl, ‘Gerrit Rietveld: Die Revolution des Raums’ (Well am Rhein: Vitra Design Museum, 2012)

Provenance: Berlin Salon, 2023.