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The success of Marcel Breuer’s first experiments with tubular steel furniture in 1925-1926 inspired various architect-designers to have a go at this alluring new material. Until then, Gerrit Rietveld had worked almost exclusively with wood. Presumably his first attempt to develop a metal chair was an armchair for Dr. A.M. Hartog which can be dated before 1927 and which shows Rietveld’s inexperience with the new material, using gas pipes and T-fittings which mimicked the straight posts and rails and traditional joints found in his wooden chairs. In 1927, Rietveld developed the Beugel chair (“beugel” meaning bracket), composed of two bracket-shaped tubular steel frames that supported a fibreboard seating shell. In June of the same year, both Mart Stam and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe showed their first cantilever tubular steel chairs at the now legendary Weissenhof exhibition. It is not known whether Rietveld developed the Beugel chair before or after that date, but it is clear that his chair did not exploit the flexible characteristics of tubular steel which made the chair of Mies van der Rohe such an instant success. In October 1927, the Beugel chair was exhibited in Rotterdam alongside Mies’ chair and a tubular steel armchair by Dutch designer and entrepreneur W.H. Gispen. Rietveld also selected aluminum paint to coat the tubular steel, rather than the high-shine chromium-plating employed by his contemporaries.
Interior for Charely Toorop, Bergen, the Netherlands, including the taller model chair, circa 1931. Artwork © 2022 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / c/o Pictoright Amsterdam. The real innovation in Rietveld’s Beugel chair however was not found in the frame but in the undulating seat and backrest. Arguably, Rietveld was the first modern designer to develop a one-piece seating shell, predating Alvar Aalto’s experiments. For the initial prototypes of the Beugel chair, Rietveld used solid steel rod for the frame and seat sections out of Vulkanfber: an industrial fibreboard that could be shaped after being soaked in water and (more or less) kept its form when dried. Given his interest for unconventional materials in cabinet making, Rietveld immediately saw the potential of this fibre composite that was mainly used for the production of cheap imitation-leather suitcases. In 1928, the Beugel chair made its international debut in Stuttgart at the Der Stuhl exhibition where it was picked up quickly by the international press, which commented on the groundbreaking seating shells.
However, it is not until 1930-1931 that the Beugel chair was taken into production by the avant-garde department store Metz & Co., in a version with tubular steel frames and plywood seat sections. Within the Metz & Co. production there are various iterations of the Beugel, with varying seat and back heights, with and without armrests, and seat colors. There are two armless versions with low backs: the higher one (referenced as Dining Room Beugelstoel in Vöge) and the lower one, which is more rare, given that the higher version was more frequently sold as a part of dining sets or as a desk chair. The present lot is an example of the lower version and displays the original yellow paint.
Provenance
Willem and Anna Kaas-Buijs, acquired from Metz & Co., The Hague, circa 1930
Thence by descent to Dr. Andries J.W. Kaas, the Netherlands
Thence by descent to Marianne Kaas, the NetherlandsLiterature
Peter Vöge, The Complete Rietveld Furniture, Rotterdam, 1993, pp. 74-75
Ida van Zijl, Gerrit Rietveld, London, 2012, pp. 85, 92, 99Artist Biography
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld
Dutch • 1888 - 1964
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld began as an apprentice in his father's cabinetmaking workshop, going on to train and work as a draftsman. In 1917 he started his own furniture-making workshop in Utrecht. Positive critical review by Theo van Doesburg in his journal De Stijl resulted in near-instantaneous influence on broader developments in European modernism. This connection to the De Stijl movement also inspired him to introduce color to the posts, rails and terminals of his furniture. His resulting "Red-blue" armchair is among the most iconic chair designs of the twentieth century.
From the beginning, Rietveld embraced modernist principles of functionalism, simplicity of form and mass-production, and eventually moved away from De Stijl to become a member of the Congrès Internationaux d'Architecture Moderne (CIAM). Rietveld worked through the post-war years, completing a number of private residences, housing developments and institutions. He continued to design furniture for these commissions as well as for retailers like Metz & Co.
Property from a Private Collection, the Netherlands
46
"Beugelstoel"
designed 1927, produced 1930-1931
Tubular steel with aluminum-paint, painted birch plywood.
23 1/2 x 15 5/8 x 24 1/4 in. (59.7 x 39.7 x 61.6 cm)
Produced by Metz & Co, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Estimate
$25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $30,240
Benjamin Green
Associate Specialist
Associate Head of Sale
bgreen@phillips.com
+1 917 207 9090
Design
New York Auction 7 December 2022
1
Max Ingrand
Ceiling light
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $25,200
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2
Gino Sarfatti
Floor lamp, model no. 1034
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $20,160
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3
André Bloc
"Boomerang" desk, designed for the Villa Bellevue, Meudon, France
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $32,760
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4
Fritz Hansen
Pair of armchairs, model no. 1669
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $42,840
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5
Ico Parisi
Table
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $15,120
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6
Venini
Mirror, model no. 74
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $7,560
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7
Napoleone Martinuzzi
Three wall lights
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $15,120
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8
Jean Royère
"Ondulation" table lamp
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $47,880
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9
Jean Royère
"Flaque" coffee table
Estimate $200,000 - 300,000
Sold for $252,000
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10
After Joan Miró
"Mangouste" carpet
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $11,970
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11
Jean Royère
"Ondulation" ceiling light
Estimate $100,000 - 150,000
Sold for $201,600
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12
Attributed to Carlo Enrico Rava
Pair of benches
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $6,930
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13
This lot is no longer available.
14
François-Xavier Lalanne and Kazuhide Takahama
“Rhinoceros” five-panelled screen, from the “Ultramobile” series
Estimate $30,000 - 40,000
Sold for $40,320
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15
Marc Lalique
“Cactus” table
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $20,160
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16
Tiffany Studios
Flower-form vase
Estimate $40,000 - 60,000
Sold for $115,920
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17
Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
"Élégant" guéridon
Estimate $24,000 - 26,000
Sold for $32,760
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18
Jeff Zimmerman
Unique "Vine" ceiling light
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $68,040
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19
Attributed to Jacques Adnet
Cabinet
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $6,300
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20
Edmund de Waal
Two tall lidded jars
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $27,720
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21
Edmund de Waal
Lidded jar
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $8,820
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22
Hans J. Wegner
Set of six "China" armchairs, model no. 4283
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
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23
Alberto Giacometti
"Étoile" floor lamp
Estimate $150,000 - 250,000
Sold for $289,800
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24
Jean Dunand
Large tray
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $11,340
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25
Lucie Rie
Footed bowl
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $56,700
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26
Ingrid Donat
"Bureau aux Caryatides et Scarifications"
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $47,880
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27
Hervé van der Straeten
"Branches" mirror, model no. 210
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $27,720
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28
Flemming Lassen
Pair of armchairs
Estimate $18,000 - 24,000
Sold for $22,680
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29
Flemming Lassen
Sofa
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $15,120
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30
Axel Johann Salto
“The Core of Power” (“Kraftens Kerne”) sculpture
Estimate $50,000 - 70,000
Sold for $63,000
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31
Arne Vodder
Chaise longue with integrated swivel tray
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $23,940
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32
Fernando Campana and Humberto Campana
Unique "Esmeralda" ceiling light
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
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33
Zanini de Zanine Caldas
Pair of "Vazada" chairs
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $17,640
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34
Ron Nagle
"Blue Grady," from the "Thin Fin" series
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $22,680
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35
Ron Nagle
"Blue Fun One"
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $13,860
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36
Ron Nagle
"Muy Shibui," from the "Thin Fin" series
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $16,380
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37
Zaha Hadid
"Serif 4" wall-mounted shelf, from the "Seamless" collection
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $10,710
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38
Ken Price
"Siren"
Estimate $50,000 - 70,000
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39
Ettore Sottsass, Jr.
"Murmansk" fruit bowl
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $11,340
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40
Viola Frey
"Untitled"
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $25,200
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41
Vladimir Kagan
"Unicorn" side table
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $15,120
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42
Vladimir Kagan
"Contour" armchair
Estimate $7,000 - 9,000
Sold for $15,120
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43
Scott Burton
“Five-Part Storage Cubes”
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $17,640
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44
Wendell Castle
Pair of chairs
Estimate $50,000 - 70,000
Sold for $69,300
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45
Ron Arad
"Oh Void 2"
Estimate $40,000 - 60,000
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46
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld
"Beugelstoel"
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $30,240
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47
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld
"Berlin" armchair
Estimate $18,000 - 24,000
Sold for $22,680
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48
Frank Lloyd Wright
Pair of windows, from the second Francis W. Little House, "Northome," Wayzata, Minnesota
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $20,160
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49
Frank Lloyd Wright
Pair of chairs, from the C. Leigh Stevens House, “Auldbrass” Plantation, Yemassee, South Carolina
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $27,720
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50
Michael Anastassiades
"Mobile Chandelier 1"
Estimate $7,000 - 9,000
Sold for $6,300
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51
Harry Bertoia
Untitled (multi-plane construction)
Estimate $70,000 - 100,000
Sold for $63,000
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52
Doyle Lane
Weed pot
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $32,760
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53
Doyle Lane
Weed pot
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $15,120
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54
Doyle Lane
Weed pot
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $10,080
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55
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
"Mesa" coffee table, model no. 1760-6
Estimate $200,000 - 300,000
Sold for $302,400
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56
Peter Voulkos
Plate
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $14,490
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57
Peter Voulkos
Vase
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $20,160
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58
Toshiko Takaezu
"Closed Form" with rattle
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $9,450
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59
Toshiko Takaezu
"Closed Form"
Estimate $2,500 - 3,500
Sold for $8,820
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60
Toshiko Takaezu
"Closed Form"
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $12,600
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61
Toshiko Takaezu
"Closed Form"
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $10,710
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62
Toshiko Takaezu
"Closed Form"
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $25,200
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63
Toshiko Takaezu
"Closed Form" with rattle
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $20,160
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64
George Nakashima
Set of three "Amoeba" nesting tables
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $17,640
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65
George Nakashima
Custom sliding door cabinet
Estimate $40,000 - 60,000
Sold for $88,200
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66
George Nakashima
"Slab" coffee table
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $16,380
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67
Gio Ponti
Wall light, designed for the Hotel Parco dei Principi, Rome
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
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68
George Nakashima
"Cushion" chair and ottoman
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $16,380
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69
Fontana Arte
Pair of mirrors, model no. 2359
Estimate $7,000 - 9,000
Sold for $10,080
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70
Gio Ponti
Coffee table
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $10,080
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71
Angelo Lelii
Floor lamp, model no. 12829
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $6,300
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72
Finn Juhl
“Chieftain” chair, model no. FJ 49 A
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $88,200
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73
Max Ingrand
Pair of wall lights, model no. 1568
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $12,600
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74
Gio Ponti
Side table
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $12,600
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75
Angelo Lelii
Ceiling light
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $44,100
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76
Josef Hoffmann
"Brotkorb," model no. S 4453
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $17,640
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77
Seguso
Four wall lights
Estimate $7,000 - 9,000
Sold for $7,560
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78
Josef Hoffmann
Vase, model no. M 3067/M va 6
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $6,930
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79
Gio Ponti and Emilio Lancia
Pair of armchairs, from Casa Bonomi, Milan
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $12,600
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80
Josef Hoffmann
"Aufsatz" centerpiece, model no. M sh 17
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $15,120
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81
Gio Ponti and Emilio Lancia
Pair of stools, from Casa Bonomi, Milan
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $3,780
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82
Albert Cheuret
Ceiling light
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $22,680
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83
Gio Ponti and Emilio Lancia
Chest of drawers
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $21,420
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84
Ingrid Donat
Pair of "Bougeoirs Ekorce Rondelles 03"
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $8,820
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85
Ico Parisi
Unique wall-mounted console table
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $15,120
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86
Fontana Arte
Pair of wall lights
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $8,820
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87
Ico Parisi
Side table
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
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88
Gabriella Crespi
"Caleidoscopio" floor lamp
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $13,860
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89
Gio Ponti
Table
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $35,280
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90
Angelo Lelii
Three "3 Lune" ceiling lights
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $56,700
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91
Carlo Scarpa
Ceiling light, model no. 5294
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $34,020
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