Dutch High Bench by Jan De Jong, 1967

Details

Description

Designed by Jan de Jong for the Raadhuis Budel in the Netherlands in 1967, this rare high bench is an … Read more Designed by Jan de Jong for the Raadhuis Budel in the Netherlands in 1967, this rare high bench is an exceptional surviving example of Bossche School furniture. It was part of the original interior of the town hall, a building for which Jan de Jong served as architect and interior designer. While most of the furniture was discarded during a later renovation, a few local residents were given the opportunity to save select pieces from the waste containers, allowing this bench to survive. The bench is constructed in ash wood with a deep lacquered surface in a dark brown-green tone that shifts subtly with the light. This complex color finish, characteristic of De Jongs interiors, is enriched by a beautiful patina accumulated through decades of use. The piece features the signature copper nails, precisely aligned to underscore its construction, and is supported by a solid black painted metal frame. Its off-white upholstered seat adds a striking contrast, making this design particularly refined and uncommon within the Bossche School canon. The bench is based entirely on the Plastic Number, the proportional system developed by Dom Hans van der Laan. This system determined not only the dimensions of the architecture but also the design of its furnishings, ensuring a total harmony between object and space. The town hall was designed in 1962, completed in 1967, and remains standing today. The original furniture left the building during its 1997 renovation, making surviving pieces like this one exceptionally rare. The bench remains in fully original condition, with some marks on the seat that testify to its history. Dom Hans van der Laan was a pivotal figure in Dutch postwar architecture, creating a unique architectural language based on proportion and spatial harmony. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



issues arising from misattribution See less