Erik Matsson cabinet

This unique cabinet was designed by Erik Matsson and executed in 1931 by apprentice cabinetmaker Erik W. Fredrikson under the guidance of master craftsman Ax. J. Hj. Frid in Stockholm, Sweden. Created as a journeyman’s piece (Gesällstycke), it was a prize in the sixth-class division of the Hantverksföreningen’s (Crafts Association’s) Industrial Lottery that same year. It stands as a masterwork of Swedish Grace, the refined and classically inspired style that flourished in Scandinavia between the late 1920s and early 1930s.

The cabinet is constructed from a richly coordinated selection of woods, including birch, walnut, mahogany, and elm root. The façade is a highly elaborate example of pictorial marquetry, depicting a stylized historical or mythological procession scene. Figures in varied garments, musicians, dancers, and an elephant-drawn chariot dominate the narrative imagery across the two main doors and side panels. Portrait medallions and geometric friezes frame the composition, all created through precision-cut inlays in contrasting wood tones. The top paneling features strong linear symmetry, while the central figural marquetry presents dramatic tonality and visual storytelling, exemplifying the decorative ambition of the piece.

The cabinet sits atop an elevated base with fluted square legs, connected by horizontal stretchers carved with classical motifs, including a central medallion featuring a lion in relief. The legs are ornamented with carved capitals and base blocks, echoing neoclassical architectural elements.

Inside, the cabinet reveals a richly structured interior layout consisting of multiple drawers, vertical compartments, and small doors. The upper section is defined by a series of arched niches, while the lower half offers practical storage in finely crafted and veneered drawers. Concealed compartments are integrated into the layout, demonstrating the high-level craftsmanship expected of a journeyman’s qualifying work. The contrasting use of lighter birch and elm root against dark-stained mahogany further accentuates the interior’s visual complexity.

This cabinet is not only a functional piece of furniture but also an expressive work of decorative art, serving both as a technical showcase and an artistic statement. It represents the culmination of traditional craftsmanship, stylistic influence from Swedish neoclassicism, and the emerging decorative modernism of the early 20th century.

Dimensions are 99 cm in width, 42.5 cm in depth, and 154.5 cm in height, equivalent to approximately 39 inches wide, 16.7 inches deep, and 60.8 inches high.