Modern Dutch design owes a great deal to Gerard van den Berg. While the Netherlands has a rich furniture-making tradition, it took a maverick like Van den Berg to bring it into a new era. His innovative armchairs, lounge chairs and sofas offer a reinterpretation of mid-century modern Dutch designs and have found wide appeal among international customers.
Van den Berg was born in 1947 to a family of designers. His father owned a furniture company in Hellevoetsluis where Van den Berg worked as an apprentice and then designer until he and his brother, Ton, founded their own workshop, in 1974. That company, named Montis, produced mostly upholstered seating for homes and businesses.
At Montis, Van den Berg challenged traditional Dutch furniture forms. Rather than starting with the piece's frame, which he felt was restrictive, he focused on the silhouette. This inspired Van den Berg to create slim and elegant furniture, often featuring angular metal legs and leather upholstery. In 1983, he pioneered the "jacket technique," consisting of a zipped leather cover around a metal frame. Several iconic Montis seats use this technique, including the Chaplin chair, the Butterfly lounge chair and the Rocky sofa.
In 1989, Van den Berg launched his own design studio and began designing for companies like Wittmann, Molteni and Perobell. He left Montis in 1990 to cofound a new company, called Label, with Ton the following year. Label furniture captures the essence of no-nonsense Dutch design. It is comfortable and relaxed, featuring simple forms that are pleasing to the eye.
Van den Berg's irreplaceable contributions to furniture design have garnered multiple awards over the years. Some of the most notable include the Kho Liang Prize, the Mobilia Innovation Award and the Prize for Interior Architecture.
Today, Van den Berg's son Jasper and Ton's daughter, Marieke, manage Label. Van den Berg's other son, Ivo, is also a designer at the company.
On 1stDibs, find Gerard van den Berg seating, case pieces and more.
Modern Dutch design owes a great deal to Gerard van den Berg. While the Netherlands has a rich furniture-making tradition, it took a maverick like Van den Berg to bring it into a new era.
Van den Berg was born in 1947 to a family of designers. His father owned a furniture company in Hellevoetsluis where Van den Berg worked as an apprentice and then designer until he and his brother, Ton, founded their own workshop, in 1974. That company, named Montis, produced mostly upholstered seating for homes and businesses.
At Montis, Van den Berg challenged traditional Dutch furniture forms. Rather than starting with the piece's frame, which he felt was restrictive, he focused on the silhouette. This inspired Van den Berg to create slim and elegant furniture, often featuring angular metal legs and leather upholstery. In 1983, he pioneered the "jacket technique," consisting of a zipped leather cover around a metal frame. Several iconic Montis seats use this technique, including the Chaplin chair, the Butterfly lounge chair and the Rocky sofa.
In 1989, Van den Berg launched his own design studio and began designing for companies like Wittmann, Molteni and Perobell. He left Montis in 1990 to cofound a new company, called Label, with Ton the following year. Today, Van den Berg's son Jasper and Ton's daughter, Marieke, manage Label. Van den Berg's other son, Ivo, is also a designer at the company.
Van den Berg's irreplaceable contributions to furniture design have garnered multiple awards over the years. Some of the most notable include the Kho Liang Prize, the Mobilia Innovation Award and the Prize for Interior Architecture.
Find vintage Montis seating on 1stDibs.
1970s Dutch Manou Bamboo Sofa by Mondileder, Gerard van den Berg Style
By Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Manufactured by Mondileder in the 1970s, this large three-seat sofa features a frame built from thick, dark-lacquered Manou bamboo, bent and stacked into horizontal rails that form t...
Leather, Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan, Lacquer
Mid-Century Gerard van den Berg White Rattan and Leather Swivel Lounge Chair
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gerard van den Berg designed, Mid-Century swivel lounge chair for highly acclaimed Dutch furniture manufacturer Montis. Van den Berg stands as one of Holland's most innovative and pr...
Chrome
Mid-Century Franco Albini Style Bamboo Loveseat, Natural Rattan
By Franco Albini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Loveseat demonstrates the sophisticated bamboo construction techniques popularized by Italian designers in the 1950s. Franco Albini pioneered the use of rattan and bamboo in modern f...
Bamboo
Gerard van den Berg 'Corvette' Sofa in Natural Cognac Leather
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The 'Corvette' sofa by Gerard van den Berg features a fully upholstered form in original cognac natural leather. Rounded, voluminous cushioning defines the silhouette — the seat, bac...
Leather
Mid Century "Donax" Armchair Rattan by Rohe Noordwolde, 1960s
By Dirk Van Sliedregt, Rohe Noordwolde
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Mid-Century, bamboo and rattan Egon Eiermann-style rattan "Donax" lounge chair by famed manufacturer Rohe Noordwolde, 1963. Design is attributed to prolific Dutch designer Dirk...
Faux Leather, Bamboo
Raphael Raffel Croissant Sofa in Brown Leather, Honoré Paris, 1970s
By Honoré Paris, Raphael Raffel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Raphael Raffel (1912-2000) and produced by Honore Paris in the 1970s, the Croissant Sofa takes a fully sculptural crescent form upholstered in natural leather. Low-slung ...
Leather
The Rock Tall back rattan loveseat sofa by Gerard van den Berg leather, 1970s
By Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Zevenaar, NL
This rare and very comfortable mid-century 'Rock' style sofa was designed in the style of the famous Rock by the famous Dutch designer Gerard van den Berg for Montis. Period: 1970s ...
Leather, Rattan
Gerard van den Berg rattan leather double sofa for Montis, The Netherlands 1970s
By Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Zevenaar, NL
This rare and very comfortable mid-century 'Rock' style sofa was designed in the style of the famous Rock by the famous Dutch designer Gerard van den Berg for Montis. The Netherland...
Leather, Rattan
Rattan Loveseat with Custom Brazilian Cowhide and Leather Cushions
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
In the style of Eero Aarnio. The romance of rattan! Homey, versatile, and always stylish. This loveseat is part of a 10-piece set but we have decided to sell the pieces separatel...
Cowhide, Wicker, Rattan
Mid-Century Modern Rattan and Cognac Leather Sofa, Italy 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Rattan and Cognac Leather Sofa, Italy, 1970s
Leather, Rattan
Two-Seat “Ecco” Loveseat by Slettvoll in Cognac Leather and Rattan, Norway 1970s
Located in Almelo, NL
Two-Seat “Ecco” Loveseat by Slettvoll in Cognac Leather and Patinated Rattan, Norway, 1970s This beautifully preserved two-seat “Ecco” loveseat by Slettvoll Manilla Furniture, part ...
Leather, Bamboo, Rattan
Vintage tripod lounge chair in leather, rattan and oak, Netherlands
By Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
Rare vintage tripod lounge chair consisting of a base of colored oak, a wicker seat shell and three leather cushions. This lounge chair has an excellent seating comfort. Dxhxl: 92x8...
Leather, Rattan, Oak
