Axel Bäck cabinet

This rare high cabinet was designed by Axel Bäck and produced by Eksjö Möbelfabrik in Sweden around 1950. Crafted from solid and veneered mahogany with brass fittings, the piece embodies an early post-war Scandinavian aesthetic that marries artisanal cabinetmaking with rational modernist design principles. The cabinet features an upper section with two large doors, a central row of three drawers, and a lower compartment with two doors, providing a highly functional and well-organized interior.

The mahogany surfaces display a consistent warm reddish-brown tone with vertically aligned grain, contributing to the cabinet’s architectural presence. The brass hardware includes delicate swing handles on the drawers, showing aged patina and visible fixing points, serving both decorative and practical purposes. Inside, the cabinet offers a variety of storage formats including open shelving in the upper and lower sections, and a bank of flat drawers centrally located for documents or smaller items, reflecting a precise and thoughtful approach to interior organization.

Elevated on high, square legs, the cabinet gains visual lightness and practical accessibility, a common Swedish furniture design strategy that facilitates cleaning and ease of use. The top edge is subtly framed by a lip, softening the otherwise rectilinear silhouette and defining the surface.

Axel Bäck, active in mid-20th-century Swedish furniture design, is less widely known today but represents the high-quality, small-scale craftsmanship typical of Eksjö Möbelfabrik. The manufacturer was renowned for detailed execution, solid joinery, and custom furniture programs during the postwar period.

The cabinet is in very good vintage condition, showing light wear on the wood and brass consistent with careful use and age. The original finish is well preserved, with a soft sheen and uniform color.

Dimensions measure 140 cm wide, 46 cm deep, and 140 cm high (approximately 55.1 by 18.1 by 55.1 inches). This piece is a rare example of early 1950s Swedish cabinetmaking, combining rational design with warm, handcrafted materials.