10,800

United States
circa 1949

Storage unit composed of two four-drawer (#9568) chests atop a single “LA” series base with laminated plywood legs. Designed by Clifford Pascoe for Pascoe Industries and produced circa 1949. According to his 1949 bio in Furniture Forum, “Pascoe, a native of New York and a product of Columbia University, is a many faceted individual who combines designing ability with a knowledge of business management and lively interest in production costs and profit sheets. Founder of the famous firm of Artek-Pascoe [an early importer of Aalto furniture to the U.S. market], Clifford now heads the newly established Pascoe Industries…his common sense and fundamental good taste are design principles of the new Pascoe line. Although a member of the ‘unrelenting modern’ school—there is a cosmopolitan flair to Pascoe’s work—a tempering of ‘functionalism’s sake’—a complete lack of straining for effect.” The present work, in nicely figured birch, sports Pascoe’s innovative spring-loaded and flush-mounted “Magic-Touch” pulls, intended for both ease of use and cleaning. The graphic quality of the composition relies on the character of the figuring in the birch veneer, the shaping of the moulded legs, the contrast of the darker mahogany of the flush pulls, and the overall architectural bearing. Each of the top drawers has two dividers. Uncommon in this configuration.

Condition
The case has been lightly sanded, re-toned, and polished to blend in areas of loss of finish to achieve a more uniform patina. Retains its original character, including wear and light scratches consistent with age and use.

Measurements
Height: 30 in.
Width/length: 72 in.
Depth: 20 in.

Specifications
Number of items: 1
Materials/techniques: Birch with mahogany flush pulls and moulded birch plywood legs.