Oscar Degeyter Glazed Cabinet in Solid Oak and Pine Belgium 1942

Oscar Degeyter Glazed Cabinet in Solid Oak and Pine Belgium 1942

A wonderful early modernist glazed cabinet in solid oak and pine with a very interesting back story by Belgian cabinetmaker Oscar Degeyter.

This unique cabinet was designed and made by Oscar Degeyter for his own home and is part of a larger ensemble of five cabinets in the same style we also have in our collection. It features a remarkable and early modernist look - especially when you hear these are very early 1940s designs. They look - at least - ten years younger and are true avant garde pieces. Interestingly they also show strong resemblance with later works by the renowned French designer duo Guillerme and Chambron.

Next to their avant garde design, these also have another interesting story attached to them. These cabinets were made in 1942 during World War II and due to the shortages of decent wood Degeyter only used rare and expensive solid oak for the most visible elements and oak veneer and pine for the less visible parts and the inner compartments. A smart and interesting way to deal with the difficult circumstances of the time.

Oscar Degeyter was a carpenter and cabinetmaker in the Belgian Bruges area and he had a large and wel known workshop. His son - Arthur Degeyter - later on became an important Belgian modernist architect and designer who designed both residential houses and larger buildings. Interestingly he designed the - now demolished - house of glass and mirror artist Michel Martens - from whom we also have a rare mirror in our collection.

This cabinet comes directly from the Degeyter family.

About ORNAMENTUM

ORNAMENTUM - where we find perfection in imperfection, love a good patina and are always on the lookout for wonderful and unique pieces both vintage and antique. We are based in Belgium near the Dutch border.