Elling Sideboard by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, 1970s

About This Piece

Vintage Design

Sculptural qualities define this object. Its form is a combination of solid shapes and negative spaces in an expressive dynamic. The relationship between them ensures a balanced composition. The careful alignment and proportions create an equilibrium, giving a sense of coherent design. Both tension and harmony create a unity.

The piece has a complex shape which is presented through a grid-like structure of wooden beams which carry the solid parts. This way, both free spaces which are a subject of their own and a significant part of the composition, stand together in a stiff, but however, playful expression with the solid parts. In spite of its rigid structure, the item appears light, due to free spaces between the elements. The piece is in its original condition, so all parts are authentic. They are done in massive beech wood. Apart from the drawers, the piece has inside shelves hidden behind pivot doors. 'Elling' Sideboard was designed 1919 and executed just two years after the introduction of Gerrit Rietveld's famous Red-Blue chair. He debuted this extraordinary table in oak. It was displayed in 1920 at the Voor de Kunst in Utrecht and purchased there by the Dutch architect Piet Elling (1897-1962). This early example was tragically destroyed in a fire. The model was re-introduced in 1958 and made in a very limited quantity by one of Rietveld’s most trusted cabinetmakers, Gerard van de Groenekan (1904-1994). Gerard A. van de Groenekan began working in Gerrit Rietveld's workshop in Utrecht in 1917 at the age of fourteen. In 1924, Rietveld decided to concentrate on architecture and left furniture production in the hands of van de Groenekan, who then continued to build many of Rietveld's models, including older ones, under his own name. Van de Groenekan played a decisive role in the development of many designs. I think this piece blends well with many interior styles. Due to its complex shape, it proudly stands in any interior space.

Literature:

Daniele Baroni, 'The Furniture of Gerrit Thomas Rietveld' (B E S Pub Co, 1978), 39, 54-55.

Peter Voge, 'The Complete Rietveld Furniture' (Rotterdam: 010 Uitgeverij, 1993), 10, 15, 52-53.

Marijke Kuper and Ida van Zijl, 'Gerrit Rietveld: The Complete Works 1888-1964' (Utrecht: Centraal Museum Utrecht, 1992), 78-79.

Provenance: ‘Modern collector: Design, Tiffany Studios, and property from a Pacific Island connoisseur’ auction, 2023.

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Creator	Gerrit Thomas Rietveld
Manufacturer	Gerard A. van de Groenekan
Design Period	1970 to 1979
Production Period	1970 to 1979
Country of Manufacture	Netherlands
Identifying Marks	This piece has been attributed based on archival documentation, such as vintage catalogs, designer records, or other literature sources
Style	Vintage
Detailed Condition	Very Good — This vintage/antique item has no defects, but it may show slight traces of use.
Restoration and Damage Details	Light wear consistent with age and use, Patina consistent with age and use, In its original condition.
Product Code	BDC-1972313
Materials	Beech
Color	Cream
Width	200 cm 78.7 inch
Depth	45 cm 17.7 inch
Height	104 cm 40.9 inch
Weight Range	Standard — Between 40kg and 80kg
Duties Notice	Import duty is not included in the prices you see online. You may have to pay import duties upon receipt of your order.

Shipping & Delivery

Ships from	Switzerland
Duties Notice	Import duty is not included in the prices you see online. You may have to pay import duties upon receipt of your order.
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.