Torbjørn Afdal bureau

This tall chest of drawers is a rare example of Torbjørn Afdal’s work for Mellemstrands Møbelsnedkeri in Norway, dating from the 1960s. It is executed in richly grained rosewood, which presents a striking and continuous pattern across the drawer fronts and side panels. The cabinet stands on a recessed plinth base that enhances its vertical proportions and gives it a monolithic presence. Each of the eight drawers is fitted with solid brass handles, aged to a warm patina, providing a subtle contrast to the dark, expressive wood grain.

The piece shows fine cabinetmaking details, including carefully book-matched veneers and precise joinery. The interior drawers are constructed in light solid wood with dovetail joints, revealing the level of craftsmanship associated with Norwegian mid-century production. The finish is well preserved, with a warm satin sheen, and displays only minor signs of wear consistent with careful use and age.

Torbjørn Afdal (1917–1999) was one of Norway’s leading postwar furniture designers, known for his refined, functionalist approach and attention to detail. He worked extensively with Bruksbo, where he developed designs that bridged traditional Scandinavian materiality with the clean lines of international modernism. Mellemstrands Møbelsnedkeri was one of the key workshops producing his designs to a very high standard, contributing to the international reputation of Norwegian furniture during the 1950s and 1960s.

This cabinet is representative of mid-century Scandinavian design, combining simplicity of form with a rich natural material palette. It is suitable as a functional storage piece while also serving as a statement object in an interior.

Dimensions: 48 × 40 × 100 cm (18.9 × 15.7 × 39.4 in).