Wardrobe KB02 by Cees Braakman (Sold)
ON HOLD – Wardrobe ‘KB02’ designed by Cees Braakman for his birch Combex series and produced by Pastoe in the Netherlands starting from the 1950’s. This wardrobe features the well-known loop shaped legs. It is finished in birch veneer and has 4 shelves inside, a tie rack on the left door and a socks department and small, newly made mirror on the right door. The door closes and the lock is still working, it comes with the original key. A scratch on the left door and a loose chip was re-attached on the top of the right door. Further in good original condition. Pastoe stamp and number on the back.
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Dimensions:
W: 104 cm
D: 52 cm
H: 170 cm
Weight: approx. 45 kilo
Material: beech wood
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.
