Gerrit Thomas Rietveld

Acquired directly by the present owner from Gerard A. Van De Groenekan, 1970

Daniele Baroni, The Furniture of Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, New York, 1978, pp. 172 and 173
Gerrit Rietveld: A Centenary Exhibition, Craftsman and Visionary, exh. cat., Barry Friedman Gallery, New York, 1988, p. 60, pl. 43
Peter Vöge, The Complete Rietveld Furniture, Rotterdam, 1993, p. 167
Charlotte and Peter Fiell, 1000 Chairs, Cologne, 2000, p. 383
Luca Dosi Delfini, The Furniture Collection Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Amsterdam 2004, p. 323

Overall in very good condition. The paint is nice and transparent how it should be showing the beautiful graining of the oak. Some dryness to the wood near the joints as it is visible in the catalogue illustration. Overall in excellent condition a good example of the rare left-handed version of this chair.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Originally designed in 1963 by Rietveld for the Steltman jewelry shop in The Hague, the first left and right-handed pair was not completed until after Rietveld's death in 1964. This mirrored and leather-lined pair is now in the  Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo, the Netherlands. In subsequent years, Gerard Van De Groenekan hand-built a small series of the chair in white-washed or grey-lacquered-oak. It appears that there are more right-handed versions that were executed, probably because of client demand.  Van de Groenekan passed away in 1994.