Annemieke Henke of Amsterdam Modernism shares her favorites from 20th-century Dutch design
Dutch Masters
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Art Deco Amsterdam School Nightstands by Max Coini, 1920s
Photo © Amsterdam Modernism
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FB18 Scissor Chair by Jan van Grunsven for Pastoe, 1959
Photo © Amsterdam Modernism
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Four Oak Art Deco Haagse School High Back Chairs by Henk Wouda for Pander, 1920s
Photo © Amsterdam Modernism
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Lacquered Art Deco Haagse School Writing Table and Armchair by Frits Spanjaard
Photo © Amsterdam Modernism
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Oak Art Deco Amsterdam School Bookcase with Stained Glass by Hildo Krop, 1918
Photo © Amsterdam Modernism
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.
More to Love
Mid-Century Birch Chairs by Cor Alons for Gouda den Boer, 1950s, Set of 4
Art Deco Dutch Oak Cabinet, 1920s
Art Deco Dutch Oak Desk from Allan & Co., 1920s
Art Nouveau Oak Magazine Rack by Jac. van den Bosch 't Binnenhuis, 1900s
Art Deco Oak School Dining Room Set by H. Fels for L.O.V. Oosterbeek, 1920s, Set of 9
Art Deco Ebony and Macassar Dining Chairs from t Woonhuys, 1920s, Set of 8
Antique Art Nouveau Arts & Crafts Walnut Hall Bench by Royal H.P. Mutters & Zoon, 1900s
Art Deco Dutch Wooden Floor Lamp by Louis Bogtman, 1920s
Mid-Century Birch Dining Chairs by Cor Alons for Gouda den Boer, 1950s, Set of 5
Mid-Century Teak Model FT30 Dining Chairs by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1960s, Set of 6
Art Nouveau Arts & Crafts Patinated Brass Kettle on Stand, 1900s
Art Deco Amsterdam School Wrought Iron Ashtray Stand by J. Boerman, 1920s
Art Deco Hague School Oak Sofa or Bench by Henk Wouda for H. Pander & Zn., 1924
Mid-Century Modern Sofa BZ53 by Martin Visser for t Spectrum, 1960s
Art Deco Amsterdam School Brass Wall Mirror, 1920s
Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights or Sconces from Raak, Amsterdam, 1960s, Set of 2
Art Deco Hague School Oak Hall Cabinet by H.Kempkes jr for A. Kempkes & Co, 1920s
Art Deco Amsterdam School Patinated Wrought Iron Fireplace Tools, 1920s
Mid-Century Teak Modular Wall Unit by Louis van Teeffelen for WéBé, 1950s
Lacquered School Writing Table and Armchair Set by Frits Spanjaard, 1920s
Amsterdam School Mahogany Bookcase by Jac. van den Bosch for t' Binnenhuis, 1927
Art Deco Amsterdam School Mahogany Mirror by Anton Lucas, 1920s
Oak Dutch Arts & Crafts Corner Chairs, 1900s
Dutch Mid-Century FB18 Scissor Chair by Jan van Grunsven for Pastoe, 1959
Art Deco Dutch Oak Tea Table by Henk Wouda for Pander, 1930s
Art Deco Oak Credenza by Hildo Krop for Gebroeders Monsieur Steenwijk, 1920s
Mid-Century Dutch Modern Lounge Chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950s
Dutch Art Deco Hague School Oak Tea Cabinet by J.C.Le Cointre, 1920s
Dutch Art Deco Coffee Table with Macassar Top, 1930s
Mid-Century Congo Chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1960s
Dutch Art Deco Mahogany Haagse School Jewelry Cabinet by Anton Lucas
Art Deco Dutch Oak Amsterdam School Coffee Table, 1920s
Art Deco Haagse School Oak Chairs by H. Wouda for H. Pander & Zn, 1924, Set of 4
Mid-Century Modern 514 Wicker Lounge Chair by Dirk van Sliedrecht for Rohé, 1961
Dutch Arts & Crafts Wardrobe in Oak, 1900s
Mid-Century Table Lamps by Wim Rietveld for Gispen, 1950s, Set of 2
Art Deco Dutch Walnut Amsterdam School Armchairs from 't Woonhuys, 1920s, Set of 2
Dutch Mid-Century Floor Lamp by Frank Ligtelijn for Raak, 1960s
Art Deco Oak and Linoleum Hague School Tea Cabinet by Jan Brunott, 1920s
Mid-Century Plywood Easy Chair by Cor Alons for Den Boer Gouda, 1940s
Antique Art Deco Oak School Bookcase with Stained Glass by Hildo Krop
Art Deco Haagse School Oak Chairs by Jan Brunott, 1920s, Set of 4
Oak Art Deco Haagse School Sofa with Bookcase by Jan Brunott, 1920s
Art Deco Dutch Oak Wardrobe by Anton Lucas Leyden, 1920s
Danish Teak Rocking Chair by Holger George Jensen for Tønder Møbelværk, 1958