Midcentury Black & Grey Pyramid Chair by Wim Rietveld for Ahrend De Cirkel, Netherlands, 1960s

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Pyramid chair by Wim Rietveld, circa 1960. Produced by Ahrend de Cirkel in Netherlands. In good original condition with minor … Read more Pyramid chair by Wim Rietveld, circa 1960. Produced by Ahrend de Cirkel in Netherlands. In good original condition with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Wim Rietveld (1924-1985) is the youngest son of legendary Dutch architect-designer Gerrit Rietveld. Though he initially apprenticed in a furniture factory in Utrecht, by 1950 he had enrolled at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague to study design while also working in his father’s firm. After, designer-entrepreneur Willem Hendrik Gispen took an interest in his work and invited him to produce designs for his company. By 1953, Rietveld was head of design at Gispen, where he developed the award-winning furniture for a Simple Interior series. After he received the Gold Medal at the X Triennale di Milano in 1954, he achieved great popularity in the Netherlands for domestic and office interiors. In 1958, Rietveld left the Gispen and moved to Ahrend de Cirkel, where he began a fruitful collaboration with leading Dutch designer Friso Kramer. Together they produced a number of now-iconic designs. Rietveld defined his design as 'well shaped, solid, practical and cheap' this rationalist approach was in line with the needs of postwar Holland. Throughout his career, Rietveld produced functionalist seating, tables, storage, shelving systems and lighting. Plywood and steel were his materials of choice. Beyond his prolific work for Gispen and Ahrend de Cirkel, Rietveld designed for other Dutch furniture manufacturers like Auping and Kembo, among others. From 1960, Rietveld concentrated on transportation design, while lecturing at his alma mater, the Royal Academy, as well as the Technical University in delft. W. Rietveld’s creations can be found in many Dutch institutions, like the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. 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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