Mats Theselius cabinet

This rare cabinet titled National Geographic was designed by Mats Theselius and produced by Källemo in Sweden. Executed in brass, glass, linen fabric, and wood, the piece is part of a limited edition of 220, with this example numbered 207. It represents a striking work of contemporary Swedish design, where materiality and concept are combined with precision craftsmanship.

The cabinet has a vertical rectangular form with two glass-paneled doors and a brass base incorporating drawers. The surfaces are wrapped in linen fabric printed with a leafy camouflage-like pattern in green, ochre, and golden tones. This textile covering introduces a tactile quality and a visual complexity that contrasts with the reflective brass elements. The brass base, hinges, and fittings add both structural solidity and a luminous accent. At the center, the doors are joined with a pair of brass plates and turned knobs, inscribed with the title, designer, and edition information, emphasizing its character as a numbered collector’s object.

Inside, the cabinet is fitted with multiple wooden shelves, providing functionality while maintaining the refined aesthetic. The interplay of translucent glass doors, patterned textile, and dark wooden interior gives depth and layering to its appearance. The balance of natural references in the surface with the industrial sharpness of brass situates the design firmly within Theselius’s oeuvre, known for merging artistic expression with utility.

Mats Theselius, born in 1956, is one of Sweden’s most renowned contemporary designers. His works often challenge the conventional boundary between art and furniture, frequently produced in limited editions with Källemo, a Swedish company committed to experimental and concept-driven design. The National Geographic cabinet reflects his characteristic interest in combining symbolic references with strong material presence, making it both a functional storage unit and a conceptual statement.

Dimensions: height 171 cm (67.3 in), width 58 cm (22.8 in), depth 29 cm (11.4 in).