a modernist desk for Futurum, Stockholm 1938.
Veneered with macassar ebony, measurements 110 x 60 cm, height 74 cm, total height including centrepiece with two drawers 86,5 cm.
Restored, wear.
The desk was executed as a part of a complete interior by Futurum for Dr Sten Lapidus and his wife's, Dr Hedvig Müller-Lapidus, first appartment at Baltzar von Platens gata 6 in Stockholm 1938. The table that was placed in the livingroom could be used both as a desk and, without the centrepiece, as an additional dinner table.
Sigrid Eklund Nyström, "Möbelarkitekt på 1930-talet - Om inredningsfirman FUTURUM och hur en ny yrkesgrupp etablerar sig", Nordiska museets handlingar 112, Uddevalla 1992, see the drawing with the desk placed in the interior of the Müller-Lapidus' appartment, Baltzar von Platens gata 6 in Stockholm, pp 284-285.
The interior design company "Futurum" was one of the many interior design companies that started business in Sweden post the 1930 Stockholm exhibition. Futurum was founded in 1934 by Margareta Köhler and Marie-Louise Idestam-Blomberg. The philosophy for their business was based upon the modernistic, or if you wish functionalistic, ideals that were introduced at the 1930 Stockholm Exhibition. The furniture should not be put in an interior for merely decorative purposes but based upon the client's actual needs and designed with their function as a major target.
Margareta Köhler was the main designer of the furniture produced by Futurum. Their aim was to create an unity with the furniture, textiles, lighting etc. Despite really good reviews from both clients and critics, Futurum had to shut down the business in 1941 due to financial problems.