Gerrit Thomas Rietveld

Daniele Baroni, The Furniture of Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Woodbury, NY, 1977, pp. 56-57
Gerrit Rietveld:  A Centenary Exhibition, Craftsman and Visionary, exh. cat., Barry Friedman Gallery, New York, 1988, p. 38
Marijke Küper and Ida van Zijl, Gerrit Th. Rietveld:  The Complete Works, Utrecht, 1992, p. 79
Peter Vöge, The Complete Rietveld Furniture, Rotterdam, 1993, p. 85
Luca Dosi Delfini, The Furniture Collection, Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, 2004, p. 296
Ida van Zijl, Gerrit Rietveld, London, 2010, p. 134

Overall in very good original condition. This work was created for Jan van Beest and has remained in his collection for its entire history. The chair presents with a few very minor surface scratches and a few minute edge nicks, minor rubbing to the whitewashed surface consistent with age and gentle use. The whitewashed elm surface is slightly uneven with some areas showing a slightly yellower tone, which is inherent in the production of the piece and visible in the catalogue illustration. The chair is comprised of sixteen battens of varying lengths, two armrests, a seat and seatback, and two side panels, all executed in solid oak. There are three minor edge nicks with losses to the blue painted areas of the chair which reveal the whitewashed surface underneath, the largest measuring approximately ¼ inch to the top surface of the backrest. The proper right armrest with three minor areas with what appears to losses to the whitewash which are likely caused by water. The chair's seat with one stable age crack to the proper right side of the seat, which does not affect the stability of the chair. A rare design showing Rietveld's planar aesthetic which relates closely to the iconic red-blue chair. This condition report was prepared with the assistance of Jurjen Creman and Drs. Rob Driessen
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.

Rietveld designed this chair model circa 1919 for his friend and fellow architect P.J. Elling (1897-1962).  The planes underneath the armrests are similar to those found in the early versiosn of the "Red-Blue" chair from around 1918.