Chair by Jan van Vliet for Metz & Co, The Netherlands, 1952

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Garden Chair designed by Jan van Vliet and manufactured by Metz & Co in The Netherlands 1952. This highly rare … Read more Garden Chair designed by Jan van Vliet and manufactured by Metz & Co in The Netherlands 1952. This highly rare modernist chair represents a remarkable moment in Dutch design history, bridging the clean tubular lines of the 1930s and 1940s with the more playful, colorful optimism of the 1950s. Though it was originally published as a garden chair, its delicate construction and materials suggest it was likely intended more as an indoor or terrace piece than a true outdoor chair in the Dutch climate. Its form and detailing clearly reflect the transition toward a lighter, more spirited postwar design language. The chair features a gracefully angled tubular steel frame finished in a soft grey paint, providing both structural integrity and visual lightness. The backrest is composed of two white-painted semi-circular panels, slightly folded to create a comfortable and supportive shape. This split-circle back is one of its most distinctive features, offering both sculptural presence and ergonomic sensitivity. The round seat, finished in a warm salmon red paint, creates a striking contrast against the grey frame and white backrest, while the large black rubber feet provide stability and protect the floor. In the Metz & Co book, the chair was described as a chair in ‘van der Leck colors’ (Bart van der Leck), underscoring the significance of this piece. Every element of this design, though appearing simple at first glance, has been carefully considered. The proportions, angle of the legs, and the precise alignment of the circular components reveal a level of refinement typical of Metz & Co’s approach to modern design. This model exemplifies the company’s progressive design philosophy during the postwar period, when Dutch design began to embrace playfulness without abandoning its functionalist roots. The importance of this chair within the canon of Dutch modernism is widely recognized. It is published in all the major reference books on Dutch design chairs and is represented in the collections of almost every major design museum in the Netherlands, underscoring its central role in the development of Dutch postwar furniture design. This example remains in fully original condition, with minor paint losses consistent with age and authentic use, enhancing its character and historical value. Given its extreme rarity and significance, this chair is considered a true museum-worthy piece and an essential addition to any serious collection of mid-century Dutch design. Literature; Metz and Co, Amsteerdam & Den Haag, 010 Publishers, page 163. Stoelen, TH Delft, page 03-15. Stoelen, Nederlandse ontwerpen 1945 – 1948, Peter Vöge & Bab Westerveld, page 84. 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



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