Rare Erik Buck for Knud Juul-Hansen Cabinet in Teak

Erik Buck for Knud Juul-Hansen, cabinet, teak, cherry, brass, Denmark, 1953

This exceptionally rare cabinet, designed by Erik Buck and crafted by the cabinetmaker Knud Juul-Hansen, was also featured in the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers' Guild Exhibition in 1953. The shape of the cabinet reflects a striking interplay between strict geometry and sculptural openness. It consists of a vertical framework, almost architectural in its clarity, constructed from warm-toned teak and cherry wood. The frame delineates a series of horizontal planes, each shelf appearing to hover in space thanks to the cabinet’s skeletal construction. The vertical supports are slightly inset at their joints, creating subtle interruptions in the silhouette. One of the most visually engaging features is the treatment of the side panels: rather than solid walls, Buck chose to leave these areas open, inserting horizontal beams with elongated oval cutouts. Vertical wooden uprights placed asymmetrically interrupt the horizontal rhythm of the shelving in a deliberate, measured way. The base, by contrast, is more grounded. The lower portion of the cabinet contains two drawers with understated brass handles. Altogether, the design manages to be both assertive and airy, architectural yet human-scaled, making it an unusually refined example of Danish modernism’s functionalist roots elevated by exceptional material and craftsmanship.