MODERNIST WRITING DESK

DESIGN: JAAP PENRAAT 1950IES

PRODUCER: N.V. PENTAGONIA

MEASUREMENTS: W 140 x D 70 ( top ), H 75,5  SPACE FOR CHAIR 54,5 CM.

PRICE: SOLD

During the intense rebuilding period, Europe adopted a clean design philosophy that embraced new materials and eschewed ornament and embellishment.
Together with Friso Kramer, Wim Rietveld and  Cees Braakman, Jaap Penraat ( 1918-2006 )was one of the young inspired designers that transformed Dutch design after World War II with their fresh and optimistic minimalist furniture.
The simple light weight construction of this double writing desk signaled the new era of furniture for everyday living; it was designed to be assembled by the consumer, which was made possible by the clever design of the prefab parts. This desk is made out of a frame of solid bars, and has been completed with birch wood veneered board panels. The top has a thick layer of grey linoleum, the top of both drawer boxes has green linoleum.
The design is clearly influenced by the designs of Gerrit Rietveld and ‘De Stijl’ movement.
This desk and other furniture of this series was pictured in the 1958 edition of ‘Hoe wilt u wonen?’, a small booklet with suggestions for modern decorating, written by Jaap Penraat as well.

Good condition.