Yngve Ekström cabinet

This rare cabinet model Krus was designed by Yngve Ekström and produced by Westbergs möbler in Sweden during the 1950s. The piece is an expressive example of Scandinavian mid-century cabinetmaking, combining refined craftsmanship with a highly distinctive decorative program integrated directly into the structure.

The cabinet is executed in teak with a warm, medium-brown tone and a finely figured grain. It is composed as a two-part construction, with an upper cabinet resting on a lower storage section, both supported by slender, tapered legs. The doors are the defining feature, each panel carved with abstracted, relief-like motifs inspired by vessels, utensils, and domestic forms. These linear carvings are shallow yet precise, creating a rhythmic surface pattern that interacts subtly with light and shadow while remaining fully integrated into the wood surface rather than applied ornament.

Yngve Ekström was a central figure in Swedish modernism, widely known for his furniture designs that balanced industrial production with sculptural sensitivity. While he is often associated with seating and lighter domestic furniture, cabinets such as this demonstrate his interest in surface treatment and narrative abstraction. Westbergs möbler was an important Swedish manufacturer that collaborated with progressive designers, producing furniture that combined modern design language with high material quality and skilled woodworking.

The cabinet is in good vintage condition, showing small signs of use consistent with age. These include light surface wear, minor marks, and gentle patina to the teak, all of which contribute to the authenticity of the piece without detracting from its structural integrity or visual clarity. The doors align well, the carved details remain crisp, and the interior shelving is intact and functional.

Stylistically, the cabinet belongs to the Scandinavian mid-century period, where natural materials, functional clarity, and artistic restraint were central values. The Krus model stands out within this context due to its graphic door carvings, which introduce a more expressive, almost symbolic layer to an otherwise rational and balanced cabinet form.

The cabinet measures approximately 102 cm in width, 43 cm in depth, and 173 cm in height, corresponding to about 40.2 inches wide, 16.9 inches deep, and 68.1 inches high.