Chris van der Hoef and the Dutch New Art (‘Nieuwe Kunst’)
The Dutch New Art, Nieuwe Kunst, version of Art Nouveau and Jugendstil is quite different from the exuberant floral Art Nouveau style. 'Nieuwe Kunst' is considered a constructive, rational style. This influence came from Amsterdam and primarily from the need of socially engaged artists to design well-designed objects/utensils for large sectors of society. One of the initiators of this rational style was the architect H.P. Berlage. Decorative aspects were sparse and subordinate to the form/shape.

The work of artist/designer C.J. van der Hoef is illustrative within the ‘innovative ceramics’ of Nieuwe Kunst (New Art). Van der Hoef designed and decorated functional utensils and named each décor pattern and tableware item with a number. 

For example, he numbered the tableware set pictured above #4000 with decor design #1047.

Our ‘Chris’ Art Deco Tableware design is based on decor #3444, taken from an original Chris van der Hoef metal framed tray.