A limed oak Steltman chair, ca. 1973. Only a couple of dozen (40-50) of Steltmans were ever made, which makes this design icon an extremely rare piece. As one of the final projects in Rietveld’s career as architect and furniture designer, the Steltman chair embodies Rietveld's intelligence and the rule breaking, avantgardist ideas that define his work. Its complex geometry remains inspriring. For its historical importance it is part of the collections of the world’s best design museums, including the MoMA in New York, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, and many others.
The Steltman Chair features pure geometric shapes, created solely from solid oak planks. It is composed of clean lines and smooth oak surfaces, offering an interesting and surprising geometry from each and every angle it is viewed.
This chair was manufactured and stamped by van de Groenekan (Rietveld's carpenter). It also wears the Cassina stamp, which v.d. Groenekan was obliged to add since the early 70s (when Cassina obtained the rights to produce all of Rietveld's designs) The double stamp is also a rarity. Interesting detail is that Cassina never actually manufactured the Steltman in their own factories. So an authentic early years (60s or 70s) Steltman is by definition always one made by Gerard v.d. Groenekan and should at least wear the Groenekan stamp or signature. On request we can provide an authenticity and condition report by a renowned expert and restorer of Rietveld furniture (name on request). It has already been verified as being authentic.
History of the Steltman chair (designed by Gerrit Rietveld in 1963)
Gerrit Rietveld designed The Steltman as his last chair at the age of 75. With this design he once again proved his status as a pioneering designer. The chair owes its name to the The Hague jeweller Steltman who commissioned Rietveld in 1963 to renovate and refurnish his luxurious shop at Noordeinde in The Hague, Netherlands (see last picture) For this high end project, Rietveld created two identical but mirrored - left and right - modernist chairs, designed to allow a couple to sit facing the jeweller’s display window and choose a piece of jewellery together.
One chair has the armrest on the right, the other on the left.
Rietveld was known for his rather uncomfortable furniture about which he used to joke '' to sit is a verb''. In consultation with the jeweller it was decided that the chairs should have a soft padding and were completely wrapped in white padded leather so they would be comfortable to sit in while choosing jewellery. After Rietveld’s death in 1964, Gerard van de Groenekan (the lifelong carpenter who produced all Rietveld's designs) started to produce the plain wooden version without upholstery, which exposed the lines and curves of the solid oak structure.
Rietveld was a pioneer of design, a modernist and a member of De Stijl movement. His designs continue to have influence on modern design. Rietveld’s furniture is timeless and elegant, often used in photography and always very sought after as statement pieces in the homes of enthusiasts, collectors and beloved by interior designers.
About Gerrit Rietveld
Gerrit Rietveld (1888-1964) was a designer and architect from Utrecht, a key figure in neoplasticism and the De Stijl movement. In addition to the UNESCO-listed Rietveld Schröder House and numerous architectural projects, Rietveld designed avantgardist, rule-breaking furniture throughout his career.
Designer
Gerrit Rietveld
Manufacturer
G.A. van de Groenekan
Design Period
1960s (1964)
Production Period
ca. 1973
Country of Manufacture
Netherlands
Identifying Marks
Groenekan stamp and Cassina stamp
Style
De Stijl, Modernist, Minimalist, Rationalist, Neo Plasticism
Detailed Condition
Good — Wear consistent with age and use. The chair has not been touched at all, to allow the new owner to decide. We offer optional expert restoration included in price. There is a watermark on the seat, patina, paintloss, small woodchips, slight bending of the wood.
