Otto Schulz sideboard

This rare sideboard was designed by Otto Schulz and produced by Boet in Sweden during the 1930s. It stands as a striking example of Swedish Art Deco, a period in which Schulz’s inventive and decorative approach to furniture design was at its most expressive. This piece demonstrates a harmonious balance of geometric refinement, rich materiality, and formal clarity.

The cabinet is constructed with a birch veneer featuring a vivid flamy grain pattern, juxtaposed with darker, blackened birch elements to create bold graphic contrast. The primary design motif centers on a symmetrical Art Deco inlay positioned on the central door panel, rendered in a blackened wood marquetry that depicts a stylized abstract floral form rising from a stepped pedestal. This motif adds a ceremonial presence to the otherwise rectilinear form.

The case rests on four distinctive turned legs composed of stacked ring elements in alternating natural and ebonized birch, lending the sideboard a sculptural rhythm and visual elevation. The cabinet’s front is divided into three doors: two outer compartments open to reveal full-width shelving, while the center features decorative marquetry and additional storage. The black top surface, along with the dark band running horizontally along the lower front, provides grounding and further emphasizes the Art Deco geometry.

Otto Schulz (1882–1970) was a German-Swedish architect, designer, and publisher who made a lasting impact on Scandinavian design through his firm Boet, based in Gothenburg. His work from the 1920s and 1930s is characterized by highly individual decorative treatments, including patented techniques and a signature integration of ornament and structure. Boet’s production philosophy emphasized artisanal quality and a deep attention to detail, which is evident in the fine craftsmanship of this sideboard.

The condition is good vintage, with minor signs of age-related wear. The surfaces display light patina and small imperfections consistent with gentle use over the past century, without compromising structural stability or decorative impact.

This piece embodies the architectural sensibility and decorative flair of 1930s Scandinavian Art Deco, reflecting both Otto Schulz’s design language and Boet’s commitment to artistic craftsmanship.