C. Bartels, Amsterdam School armchair, 1920s

Great Amsterdam School chair with new upholstery, attributed to Christiaan Bartels, 1920s. Christiaan Bartels (Amsterdam, 1889) was a designer of furniture and interiors. His teacher was the famous Dutch architect-designer Willem Kromhout. They worked together for the spectacular decoration of Amsterdam movie theatre Tuschinski, commissioned by Abraham Icek Tuschinski in 1921. The interior and exterior are a mix of styles such as Amsterdam School, Jugendstil, Art Nouveau and Art Deco, designed in a way to offer visitors the feeling that they are stepping into an illusion. Bartels proved to be a true all-rounder: he designed lamps, paneling, wrought ironwork, curtains and more. Very impressive are his bronze lamps in the main foyer. Tuschinski is considered one of the most beautiful cinemas in the world.