Friso Kramer Asmeta bookcase for Bijenkorf 1953

Friso Kramer

Amsterdam 1922 – 2019
Industrial designer

Rare metal bookcase shelving unit designed by Friso Kramer for de Beijenkorf, produced by Asmeta in 1953. Martin Visser commissioned Friso Kramer to design a simple usable shelving unit for de Bijenkorf. These bookcases were designed in the colors of De Bijenkorf in the 1950s. De Bijenkorf is an exclusive department store still existing and selling high quality clothes brands, watches. But also toys, books and expensive design of course. This modular shelving unit has dark blue sides and yellow backsides and which can be adjusted in any wanted composition. This unit is complete and in a very good cleaned condition, the white parts have been professionally refinished with preservation of authenticity. This bookcase has the rare segment with the folding doors which is a rare piece. Very nice modernist bookcase unit.

The designs of Friso Kramer are highly sought after because of their progressive designs. Even though this chair was designed in 1953, this is still in production at Ahrend. With few modern changes to the materials but the shape is still identical. Friso Kramer was a functionalist, all of his pieces are well thought about and amazingly executed. Even though most of his designs were produced in large numbers the process before that was really intense and time taking. And the result of that was a great production process with fantastic ergonomic result. Friso Kramer is often compared to Jean Prouve. Musea often show the Revolt chair next to the Standard chair by Jean Prouve, not without reason.

We are specialized in the industrial designs by Friso Kramer and we have built a large collection of Friso Kramer furniture. If there is anything you are interested in please contact us with your request.