Gerrit Thomas Rietveld (1888 - 1964)

on four black painted metal legs

A stylish piece of good overall appearance. Of a slightly warmer colour than the catalogue illustration suggests. Old marks, scratches and wear overall, consistent with age, as can be seen in the catalogue illustration. Some wear to painted finish to the legs. The piece is described by Visser as a bench, but it could serve equally well as a coffee table.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This lot is sold with two copies of handwritten letters from the noted Dutch furniture designer Martin Visser. He notes that at the time this bench was designed Rietveld regularly visited Bergeyk, Holland. Rietveld had designed the De Ploeg textile factory there in 1956 and Visser himself had commssioned Rietveld to design a small woodland house for him in Bergeyk in 1955.

During his visits to Bergeyk Rietveld was often in the company of Hanneke Schröder, daughter of Truus Schröder who commissioned the famous Rietveld-Schröder House in Utrecht.

It is said that Hanneke suggested to Rietveld to paint the legs of the bench in red. Rietveld refused and is quoted as saying that 'the legs of a rooster are red for a purpose; it's attractive to the chickens, whereas in this design the colour red has no function whatsoever'. At present the exact details of the original commission this bench was designed for remain unknown, but it is possible it formed part of the furnishings for the De Ploeg building.