$12,500

United States
circa 1954

Stacked and fastened modular units composed of walnut, angled steel, and lacquered masonite. with sliding doors at top and an open compartment at bottom. The “Curtainwall” principle applied to furniture, allowing easy extension in either a vertical or horizontal direction. An elegant riff on the Eames ESU, designed by Norman Cherner (along with Matthew Cooper) and manufactured by the Multiflex Corp circa 1954. The Studio Group was featured in George Nelson’s Storage book and was a MoMA Good Design selection in 1954. The frame, which disassembles to a large degree, is held together with brass buttons that are optionally visible on the outside (MoMA preferred visibility as expressive and suitable to the piece). Cherner famously designed the narrow-waisted Plycraft armchair along with an award-winning furniture line for Konwiser and was the author of the 1953 book Make Your Own Modern Furniture. Along with a nine drawer chest of drawers and a sliding-door cabinet listed here separately, the only examples of these configurations I have seen. The shelf pictured in the open compartment is a foam core place-marker suggesting a white glass shelf, which can be provided upon request after purchase.

Condition
Wear consistent with age and use. The wood has been refinished. Steel frames have been repainted, as have the sliding masonite doors and interior masonite panels.

Measurements
Height: 51 in.
Width/length: 30 in.
Depth: 18 in.

Specifications
Number of items: 1
Materials/techniques: Walnut, angled steel, lacquered masonite