A rare and exceptional piece of Danish design history is set to be auctioned at Bruun Rasmussen's Live Auction on 27 March. The cabinet, designed by renowned Danish architect Erik Herløw in 1956, was originally crafted as a bespoke gift for Christian Christensen, then-managing director of the Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Factory.
The cabinet is an extraordinary fusion of fine craftsmanship and ceramic artistry. Master cabinetmaker Jacob Kjær constructed the piece using Brazilian rosewood with intricate Ceylon lemonwood inlays. Inside, the cabinet features a refined structure with a "floating" box and 18 profiled compartments—17 of which contain unique ceramic works from some of Denmark's most esteemed artisans, including Axel Salto, Gerd Bøgelund, and Kresten Bloch.
'It is truly amazing that we can present this one-of-a-kind cabinet at our upcoming design auction. The combination of Erik Herløw's timeless design, Jacob Kjær's masterful craftsmanship, and the 17 small ceramic works makes this cabinet something extraordinary. It tells a story of craftsmanship at the highest level and stands as a snapshot of the quality of Danish design in 1956,' said Anna Widenborg Berger, Head of Modern Design & Decorative Art at Bruun Rasmussen.
Beyond its stunning aesthetics, the cabinet also holds charming details, such as a delicately dovetailed drawer containing a dust brush with ostrich feathers and a finely turned bone handle. Accompanying the cabinet is a small, leather-bound catalogue featuring etchings by Mads Stage, documenting the ceramic pieces inside.
The auction presents a rare opportunity for collectors and design enthusiasts to acquire this remarkable piece, which seamlessly bridges furniture design and ceramic artistry. The estimate for the piece is set between DKK 600,000 and 800,000.
The cabinet will be on display during the preview from 20-25 March at Bruun Rasmussen's showroom in Kongens Lyngby, where visitors can also explore other design treasures and artworks set for auction.
Auction Details:
Event: Live Auction – Modern Design & Decorative Art
Date: 27 March 2025
Time: 4:00 PM
Preview: 20-25 March
Location: Nørgaardsvej 3, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
More information:
Bruun Rasmussen
[email protected]
www.bruun-rasmussen.dk