1930s Rationalist Chest of Drawers in Oak, Walnut and Metal

Chest of drawers, walnut, oak, nickel-plated brass, metal, Italy, 1930s

This chest of drawers, an Italian piece from the 1930s, presents a striking formal expression grounded in the principles of Italian Rationalism. This movement sought clarity, order, and structural logic in design. Crafted in oak, with walnut sides offering a darker tonal contrast, the chest’s silhouette is starkly rectangular, a pure geometric volume devoid of ornamental excess. The composition of the front is disciplined with nine uniformly sized drawers. The gridded structure of the drawer fronts, each protruding slightly from the frame, intensifies the architectural impression. What interrupts this rectilinear field are the round knobs, small circular gestures in nickel-plated brass. Notice how the sides extend down along the metal plinth base, accentuating the geometric complexity of the form. Their cold, metallic sheen offer a counterpoint to the warmth and grain of the wood.