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Annemieke Henke of Amsterdam Modernism shares her favorites from 20th-century Dutch design

Dutch Masters

When asked to talk about her family's business, Annemieke Henke leads off with, "Our company is more than 100 years old!" Not many vintage dealers can make such an impressive claim. Now on its third generation, Amsterdam Modernism is run by Annemieke and her husband Hans, with an office in Amsterdam and a showroom in Nieuw-Vennep near Schiphol Airport.

Amsterdam Modernism is aptly named; these vintage dealers specialize in the innovative designs that were produced in the Netherlands throughout the 20th century, representing major creative movements from Art Nouveau, the Amsterdam School, Hague School, and Art Deco, on through the postwar era of Goed Wonen.

With such deep expertise at our disposal, we just had to ask Annemieke to share her favorite exemplars of vintage Dutch design—a segment of the market that's rapidly attracting new fans. Here are the pieces she recommended to us.

 

Teak Writing Desk by Louis van Teeffelen for Wébé, 1950s


Louis van Teeffelen (1921-1972) is known for  introducing a midcentury Scandinavian aesthetic to the Netherlands—which has lead to many mistaking him for a Dane. Still this Dutch industrial designer had a unique visual vocabulary; charming silhouettes and details that were all his own. "For sure, his desks are among the best designs we have ever seen and sold," says Annemieke. Photo © Nome Furniture

 

Teak Modular Wall Unit by Louis van Teeffelen for Wébé, 1950s


Annemieke extends her deep respect for van Teeffelen to his shelving and wall units too. "They're magnificent and striking," she tells us. "But they're also large and functional; so easy to adjust and adapt to different settings. We believe they represent the best design in wall unit design." Photo © Amsterdam Modernism

 

Mahogany Amsterdam School Pedestal Desk by Willem Raedecker, 1920s


For those who don't know, the Amsterdam School was a design and architecture movement in the Netherlands from around 1910 to about 1930; a uniquely Dutch take on the era's international movements: Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Expressionism. Willem Raedecker (1883-1971), brother of famous sculptors John Raedecker and Anton Raedecker, was a master of Amsterdam School furniture design. "This rare pedestal desk in mahogany features hand-carved Macassar ebony animals and female forms," explains Annemieke. "It's a museum-quality one-of-a-kind—plus it can be dismantled into 5 pieces for easy transport." Photo © Amsterdam Modernism

 

Mahogany Amsterdam School Credenza by Jac. van den Bosch for ‘t Binnenhuis Amsterdam, 1924


"We saw this piece for sale on auction at Christie’s Amsterdam 20 years ago and fell in love with it, but could not purchase it then." Annemieke tells us. "We're very proud to have this stunning piece in our collection after 20 years waiting!" Jac. van den Bosch (1868-1948) co-founded 't Binnenhuis, an early 20th-century Dutch interior design company dedicated to the creation of ultra high quality, beautiful yet functional designs. This example of van den Bosch's work features solid mahogany with Macassar ebony handles and lining—and lots of storage space."Both the Drents Museum in Assen and the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam have an example of this credenze in their collection," Annemieke adds. Photo © Amsterdam Modernism

 

Check out the slideshow above for a few more stellar pieces from the Amsterdam Modernism collection, selected by the Pamono Editors.

 

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