Arne Vodder sideboard

This freestanding sideboard, model 29A, was designed in the 1950s by Arne Vodder and produced by Sibast Møbelfabrik in Denmark. Its elongated form spans 250 cm in width, standing 80 cm tall and 47 cm deep, and is executed entirely in richly figured rosewood. The warm, reddish-brown hue of the wood is enlivened by bold, book-matched grain patterns that flow uninterrupted across the doors and drawer fronts, creating a sense of visual movement and organic rhythm.

The sideboard is thoughtfully divided into three functional zones. On the left, two sliding doors glide on concealed tracks to reveal adjustable shelving, their smooth surfaces broken only by recessed, circular finger pulls. At the center, a column of seven shallow drawers ascends vertically; each drawer front is gently concave, sculpted to allow fingertip access without protruding hardware. On the right, a single hinged door, fitted with a discreet lock, opens to additional shelving. Inside, the interiors and drawer boxes are crafted from a lighter wood, providing a subtle contrast to the darker rosewood veneer and highlighting the care taken in construction.

Beneath the cabinet, six slender, tapered legs lift the piece from the floor, giving it an elevated, almost floating appearance. The legs, also in solid rosewood, splay slightly outward and terminate in fine points, reinforcing the sideboard’s graceful, poised silhouette. All joinery, from the mitered corners of the carcass to the tight tolerances of the sliding door tracks, reflects Sibast’s reputation for precision woodworking and Vodder’s commitment to architectural clarity.

Arne Vodder (1926–2009) trained as an architect and was a close collaborator of Finn Juhl before establishing his own design voice. His work is characterized by functional asymmetry, organic detailing, and an emphasis on material tactility. This sideboard exemplifies those qualities: its balanced yet non-symmetrical layout, the seamless integration of handling details, and the celebration of rosewood’s natural character all speak to Vodder’s refined modernist sensibility. Sibast Møbelfabrik, active during Denmark’s design golden age, brought Vodder’s visions to life with the highest standards of craftsmanship and finish.

In very good original condition, this sideboard shows only minor surface wear—gentle patina on the drawer pulls and faint scuffs at the leg tips—consistent with careful use over six decades. Its combination of generous storage capacity, elegant proportions, and warm material presence make it a distinguished example of mid-century Scandinavian design.