Kurt Østervig bookcase

This rare freestanding bookcase was designed by Danish designer Kurt Østervig and produced in Sweden during the 1960s. The unit reflects Østervig’s signature approach to modular design, with a strong focus on material refinement, balanced proportions, and functional compartmentalization within a mid-century Scandinavian aesthetic.

Constructed from solid oak uprights and veneered teak shelving and cabinetry, the piece is notable for its warm tonal contrasts and clean linearity. The legs are subtly splayed, tapering downward in keeping with the visual lightness of the design.

The configuration consists of multiple horizontal teak shelves, a drop-down cabinet bar with internal drawers and organizing compartments, a lower pair of sliding-door cabinets with integrated carved handles, and an upper glazed display cabinet with sliding glass doors. The drop-front bar cabinet or desk includes sculpted drawer pulls. The internal layout provides a combination of open storage, concealed compartments, and surfaces suitable for display, writing, or serving.

Kurt Østervig (1912–1986) was a trained shipbuilder turned industrial designer whose work is widely celebrated for its clarity, tactility, and architectural rationalism. While many of his designs were produced in Denmark, this Swedish-produced system is a rare example of his cross-border collaborations and embodies the same rigor seen in his work for KP Møbler and Jason Møbler. The modularity of the unit aligns with a broader postwar Scandinavian ethos that favored flexibility and modern living arrangements.

The piece remains in very good original condition with only minor surface wear to the teak and oak components, consistent with careful use and age.

The dimensions are 208 cm in width, 40.5 cm in depth, and 179.5 cm in height, equivalent to approximately 81.9 inches wide, 15.9 inches deep, and 70.7 inches high.