Utrecht Sofa attributed to Gerrit Thomas Rietveld for Metz and Co., Netherlands, 1960s

About This Piece

Vintage Design

So called 'Utrecht' sofa designed by Gerrit Rietveld and manufactured by Metz and Co in The Netherlands in 1960. This sofa is a special creation by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld for Metz & Co back in 1935. What makes it unique is that it's one of the few comfortable seats he ever designed, and it's also his first upholstered design. The wooden frame was skill-fully crafted by Gerard van den Groenekan, while Dhr. Staphorst took care of the upholstery for Metz & Co. Unfortunately, its production was put on hold due to the war. However, in the early 1950s, Metz & Co reintroduced the sofa along with a matching chair. These sofa's are extremely rare, and only a handful of them are known to exist today, making them highly sought after by collectors and museums. The sofa has been carefully restored, featuring new 'BREAK FREE' upholstery by Carlucci with a beautiful graphical pattern. Interestingly, the sofa's interior remains original, preserving the characteristic old jute webbing typical of Metz & Co chairs, as well as the intact spring seat bedding. The restoration aimed to maintain authenticity, with only the surface foam and upholstery being replaced while keeping the original inner frame visible. This early Metz & Co version holds significant historical value, representing Rietveld's talent and Metz & Co's enduring craftsmanship. It is a true treasure for design enthusiasts with a fascinating story of creativity. Literature; Gerrit Th. Rietveld 1888-1964, Marijke Küper Ida van Zijl, Centraal Museum 1992. Page 175, number 258. The complete Rietveld furniture, Peter Vöge, 010 publischers Rotterdam 1993. Page 96/97, number 157. We have a second one in stock that could make a pair or be reupholtered in a fabric of your choice. Like all our upholstered pieces these can also be newly upholstered to your admiration. Ask our experienced upholstery department for an affordable quote for the item you want customised. We only use the best quality fabrics, foam, and materials for all our items. with the reupholstery we will always keep the originality in mind so the piece doesn’t lose its value and will be ready for years of use again.

Click here for full description Close description

Creator	Gerrit Thomas Rietveld
Manufacturer	Metz & Co. (Manufacturer) , Gerrit Rietveld (Designer)
Design Period	1960 to 1969
Year	1960
Production Period	1960 to 1969
Country of Manufacture	Netherlands
Identifying Marks	This piece is attributed to the above-mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark
Style	Vintage
Detailed Condition	Excellent — This vintage/antique piece is in near original condition. It may show minimal traces of use and/or have slight restorations.
Product Code	NVG-1992584
Restoration and Damage Details	Reupholstered
Materials	Fabric
Color	Gold
Width	140 cm 140 cm
Depth	90 cm 90 cm
Height	70 cm 70 cm
Weight Range	Standard — Between 40kg and 80kg

Shipping & Delivery

Ships from	Netherlands
Returns	Returns accepted within two days of delivery, except for Made-to-order items

Sustainability

Carbon Neutral	For every purchase made, Pamono offsets 100% of estimated carbon emissions from global shipping.
Vintage	Choosing vintage and antique furniture reduces your carbon footprint by cutting down on waste and reduces demand for new materials and extends the life of the products we use.

Delivery Options

Front Door Delivery: (Included in Every Order)	A skilled driver will unload the item(s) from the delivery truck and bring it to your building’s doorstep. You will be responsible for further transport beyond that point. We recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand; alternatively, you may upgrade to In-Home Delivery (see below). The delivery partner will email and/or call you at least one day in advance to arrange a delivery time. A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection. Item will be left in its packaging after delivery. A signature will be required upon delivery.
In-Home Delivery: (For in-home delivery service, additional fees apply. Please get in touch)	A skilled driver or a team of two will bring your item(s) inside your home and place it in the immediate entryway. For unusually large or heavy items, we recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand, as we cannot send more than 2 drivers. The delivery partner will email and/or call you one day in advance to arrange a delivery time. A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection. Item will be left in its packaging after delivery. A signature will be required upon delivery.

Front Door Delivery:
(Included in Every Order)

A skilled driver will unload the item(s) from the delivery truck and bring it to your building’s doorstep. You will be responsible for further transport beyond that point. We recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand; alternatively, you may upgrade to In-Home Delivery (see below).
The delivery partner will email and/or call you at least one day in advance to arrange a delivery time.
A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection.
Item will be left in its packaging after delivery.
A signature will be required upon delivery.

In-Home Delivery:
(For in-home delivery service, additional fees apply. Please get in touch)

A skilled driver or a team of two will bring your item(s) inside your home and place it in the immediate entryway. For unusually large or heavy items, we recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand, as we cannot send more than 2 drivers.
The delivery partner will email and/or call you one day in advance to arrange a delivery time.
A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection.
Item will be left in its packaging after delivery.
A signature will be required upon delivery.

*Important Note

Please examine every order upon delivery. In the event that there are visible signs of damage or missing or incorrect pieces, please indicate the problem on the Delivery Note and contact us within 48 hours of delivery. A signed delivery receipt without notations of missing, damaged, or incorrect item(s) represents your acceptance of the complete order in perfect condition.

About the Creator

Gerrit Thomas Rietveld

Dutch furniture designer and architect Gerrit Thomas Rietveld was born in Utrecht in 1881. He began working in his father’s workshop as a boy, and from 1906 to 1911 worked as a draftsman for Utrecht jeweler C. J. Begeer. From 1904 to 1908, he took evening classes in drawing and ornamentation at the Kunstindustrieel Onderwijs der Vereeniging of the Museum van Kunstnijverheid in Utrecht. Around 1906, he also attended classes led by architect P. J. C. Klaarhamer.

In 1917, Rietveld set up a furniture studio in Utrecht. Early on, he was associated with the De Stijl movement and its champions, such as Piet Mondrian and Theo van Doesburg. Starting around 1918, his work reflected the artistic ideals of the group; and, using black, white, gray, and primary colors, he transformed objects and buildings into abstract compositions driven by lines and planes. His two most noted designs of this period were the Red-Blue Chair of 1918 (originally unpainted, the colored version dates to 1923) and the 1924 Rietveld Schröder House. He also contributed to the journal De Stijl: Maandblad voor nieuwe Kunst, wetenschap en Kultur from 1919 until it ceased publication in 1931. The contacts he made there helped him expose his work internationally. In the late twenties and the thirties, he concentrated on architecture and mass-produced furniture. During the 1930s, Rietveld distanced himself from De Stijl and focused on more experimental work and material exploration. He was also commissioned to renovate several shops for Dutch company Metz & Co., which produced his furniture—including the iconic Zig-Zag Chair (1932)—between 1930 and 1955. In the fifties, he began to design exhibitions and exhibition spaces, including the Dutch Pavilion for the Venice Biennale (1954).

In 1961, he partnered with architects Johan van Dillen and J. van Tricht. His final commission was for Amsterdam’s Vincent van Gogh Museum (1963–73). Rietveld died in 1964, and his associates completed the building after his passing.