Sideboard ‘DU03’ by Cees Braakman (Sold)
Sideboard ‘DU03’ designed by Cees Braakman for his ‘Japanese series’ and produced by Pastoe in the Netherlands starting from 1958. This credenza is a typical example of minimalist design with its black plastic door handles and black lacquered steel frame underneath the teak cabinets. The feet are adjustable to level this piece out on an uneven floor. This sideboard has 4 doors with a shelf behind and 4 anti-dust drawers with rounded corners on the inside. The nicely grained veneer on the backside justifies using this exceptional piece as a room divider too. Two magnets on the doors were replaced, further in very good, original condition.
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Dimensions:
W: 226 cm
D: 45,5 cm
H: 73 cm
Weight: approx. 65 kilo
Material: Black lacquered metal frame, teak, plastic
Price: € 4500,00/set
The Dutch designer Cees Braakman (1917-1995) was born upstairsk the UMS furniture factory. He started working for UMS at the young age of 17 and became most important for this furniture company, now known as Pastoe, following in his father’s footsteps as manager and head of design. Braakman was instrumental in shaping the company’s modernist design philosophy, with a focus on clean lines, functional design, and high-quality materials.
His father was manager at UMS Pastoe before the war and Cees continued his father’s work with the company after the war ended. . Around 1947 UMS starts focussing on contemporary design under the guidance of it’s new director and designer Cees. UMS was looking to re-invent itself during the Reconstruction and Cees went to visit 12 furniture factories in the United States to learn about new designs and production methods.
Braakman himself launches, after a study in 1947 at George Nelson associates in the United States, a new technique with curved plywood which was finished with oak and birch veneer. Inspired by the work of Charles & Ray Eames he returned home with this new production method in which the whole furniture making process could be done without interference from the artisan. The praised SB02 dining chair was born out of this new technique. In 1948 the name “Pas-Toe” is added to the abbreviation UMS.
UMS Pastoe also joined the Goed Wonen group that was established in 1946. This group of designers promoted the modern interior with model homes and publications explaining the Dutch how to live: not only with what furniture but also according which principles. The group was convinced that “taste is a matter of education”. The solid, heavy oak furniture, flower motives and thick curtains had to go out the door and were replaced by more Scandinavian style minimalist pieces adapted to smaller houses. The new modern furniture had to be light, airy and easy to install, transport and produce.
This sober design,promoted by The Goed Wonen group, what became the trademark style of UMS Pastoe. Flexibility was the new mantra that led to furniture systems that consumers could put together themselves, like the Made-to-measure cabinet systems. The series became a commercial success in Holland and abroad. No big surprise if you know that the teak version got the silver medal award at the 11th Triennale in Milan and Le Signe d’Or in Belgium 1957. Launched in 1958, also Braakman’s Japanese series gained notoriety.
Cees Braakman drew a clear collection of furniture pieces that were seen as functional objects and made Pastoe big in every way. Most of these designs are still incredibly popular up until today. A few of them even made it to the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. Braakman passed away in 1995 but his legacy in design will live on forever.
