Cabinet

This rare rustic and architecturally expressive cabinet is a striking example of furniture with strong brutalist characteristics, likely originating from a vernacular Northern or Central European rural tradition. Constructed entirely from solid, wide wooden planks, the cabinet shows heavy signs of age and wear, consistent with its utilitarian origins and extended use over time.

The cabinet is defined by its rectilinear form and flat front elevation, broken only by a pair of central doors. It stands on four legs, with deep arched cutouts on the side panels that form the base, creating a distinct silhouette and contributing to its sculptural presence. The wood has a natural, raw finish with remnants of pale green-blue paint that has partially worn away, exposing the rich texture and grain of the timber beneath. These remnants of paint are visible as vertical streaks and surface erosion, adding to the piece’s tactile quality and aged character.

Iron hardware, including hinges and a primitive lock mechanism, remains in place and functional, though it has oxidized over time. Inside, the cabinet features three full-width shelves, also made from plank boards. The craftsmanship appears to be entirely hand-executed, with visible through-tenon and pegged joinery along the sides and back panels, indicating that the piece was made during a pre-industrial or early industrial period.

The overall condition is structurally sound, but with significant patination, discoloration, surface wear, cracks, and fading, all of which contribute to its authenticity and the preservation of its original state. Its aesthetic leans toward rustic minimalism, with a brutalist edge in its severe lines, exposed construction, and uncompromising materiality.

While no maker or designer is identified, the cabinet was likely crafted by a local carpenter or craftsman, possibly in the 19th or early 20th century. Its focus on volume and mass, coupled with its simplicity, aligns conceptually with brutalist ideals, even though it has rural origins. This cabinet offers interest both as a piece of folk art and as an artifact of vernacular modernism.

The dimensions of the cabinet are 87 cm wide, 60 cm deep, and 147 cm high (approximately 34.3 x 23.6 x 57.9 inches).