Dutch Art Deco modernist table and chairs by H. Wouda for Pander and modern chess set

This furniture set of two chairs and a table was designed by Hendrik Wouda and manufactured by Pander, 1924. The design is well documented (see the last few pictures). Both table and chairs have the metal 'Pander & Sons' tag underneath. Although this set wasn't originally designed as a game table set up, it perfectly serves that purpose and is a true eye catcher and conversation piece as well as a fully functional suite.

Chairs dimensions per piece: Height: 32.68 in (83 cm) Width: 19.69 in (50 cm) Depth: 18.51 in (47 cm) Seat Height: 19.69 in (50 cm)

Table Dimensions: Height: 23.63 in (60 cm) Width: 23.63 in (60 cm) Depth: 23.63 in (60 cm)

The heavy solid wooden chessboard (green protective felt underneath) is completely handmade and consists of maplewood, beech and walnut. The remarkable set of chess pieces with modernist, cubist designs were made by Dutch artist Ernie Ruiter who creates art from re-used materials. These pieces were made out of vintage furniture. They come in a handmade oak box.

Chess board dimensions: 42 x 42 cm (16,5 x 16,5 in), 4,5 cm (1,8 in) thick. Pieces vary from 5 to 10 cm (1,9 to 3,9 in) in height.

Hendrik Wouda (1885 - 1946) was a Dutch architect, interior designer and furniture designer. The modernist designs by Wouda are known as ''Haagse School'' (The Hague School), a style that manisfested itself in The Hague during the Interbellum. It represented a luxurious and modern design style and reflected the modernist architecture style of the time. Important influencers were the design ideas of Frank Lloyd Wright, as well as Berlage (who he worked for) and the ideas of avant-garde movement ''De Stijl''. All this resulted in modern commercial designs, targeting upper class clientele.

According to Wouda, house interior is an inseparable part of architecture. His furniture is characterized by geometric design and clean lines. Wouda designed 'strict' rationalistic furniture, always with a personal signature.

Wouda was head of design at the famous furniture firm H. Pander en Zn. His students included Cor Alons and J. Brunott.

Biography

After training at the Academy of Visual Arts and Technical Sciences in Rotterdam and the Academy of Visual Arts in The Hague, Wouda worked from 1910 to 1912 at the Amsterdam office of architect H.P. Berlage, but he didn't enjoy it very much: "My ears were ringing with those heavy arguments and I was caught in obligatory principles" (freely translated).

From 1912 - 1914 he worked in Munich worked for the Pössenbacher Werkstätte for architect Eduard Pfeiffer. There he became acquainted with a much more luxurious and, above all, more commercial modernism than Berlage's strict, principled design.

In 1917 he started working for Pander.