The Balance Between the Organic and the Geometric
In 1949, Finn Juhl introduced a cabinet designed for storing silverware that embodies some of his most refined and consistent design principles. It was presented at the Cabinetmakers' Guild Exhibition alongside several of his now-iconic furniture pieces. While the Chieftain Chair captured most of the attention, the cabinet was largely overlooked by contemporary critics despite its architectural clarity and refined composition.
The Silverware Cabinet's distinctive organic frame is crafted from walnut, while the drawer unit is made from Oregon pine.
Originally crafted by master cabinetmaker Niels Vodder, the Silverware Cabinet takes the shape of a geometric box elevated from the floor by a light, organically shaped frame. The construction continues Finn Juhl's characteristic 1940s exploration of creating a room within a room and demonstrates the relationship between the carrying and the carried, as well as between organic and geometric forms. In doing so, the visual weight of the piece is dissolved. At the same time, the front gains a dynamic expression through the horizontal rhythm of the drawers and the repeated pattern of the knobs across the surface.
The frame is crafted in American walnut, while the cabinet itself is made in Oregon pine. The drawers can be locked vertically using the accompanying brass key.
When the top drawer of the Silverware Cabinet is locked, the entire row of drawers below is locked as well. A brass key is included.
The Special Edition with Silverware by Kay Bojesen
When the Silverware Cabinet is presented during this year's 3daysofdesign, it appears in a special edition that highlights the piece's original purpose. The drawers are filled with silverware designed by silversmith Kay Bojesen, with whom Finn Juhl shared a long-standing friendship and collaboration.
In the 1930s, Kay Bojesen created the Grand Prix silver cutlery with its characteristic soft form language. Today, production of the iconic silver craftsmanship continues through Kay Bojesen's granddaughter, Sus Bojesen Rosenqvist. The exclusive Grand Prix silver cutlery is presented in specially designed drawer inserts in cognac leather, emphasizing the tactile qualities of the cabinet.
