1960s Mid-Century Raymond Loewy Influenced Joerns Medical Cart/Bar Cart/Bedside Table

Details

Description

[COMPARE WITH A SIMILAR CART ON CHAIRISH’s WELL KNOWN “VINTAGE DESIGNS” SELLER SITE ! See our last listed photo for … Read more [COMPARE WITH A SIMILAR CART ON CHAIRISH’s WELL KNOWN “VINTAGE DESIGNS” SELLER SITE ! See our last listed photo for quick reference.]

A truly rare and versatile piece of “heritage medical and/or college dormitory furniture” … made by the well known Joerns Furniture Company founded in 1898 by 3 brothers; Charles, Paul, and Frederick, in St. Paul, Minnesota; the eldest of which, interestingly, Charles, was a pharmacist.

In the early 1900’s they relocated in Stevens Point, Wisconsin and in the 1950’s Joerns developed a new and quite novel line and style of furniture … a very upscale “medical” and “college dorm” furniture line … with a design and quality suitable for the residential market. We’re talking “upscale” … especially for a generally antiseptic and sterile (literally and figuratively) medical and/or college dorm environment.

The company still exists yet today and operates as
Joerns Healthcare.

This particular piece was long ago apparently “used” by a local area registered nurse, as a medical cart.

Several features highlight this unusually well differently designed piece of furniture -

* it is extremely well designed, and crafted, with graceful tapered legs;

* it has a warm original honey-brown finish with a light antique speckled satin finish;

* the legs rest on well-functioning casters complete with original rubber wheels, wrapped in brassy leg caps, supported by fenders of a soft coppery tint (the casters also being removable, if so desired);

* the 3 drawers are uniquely designed with very thick sold drawer fronts…that are stylishly designed…that attach to heavy plastic drawer bins. The top drawer front is a solid and true one inch (not 3/4”) thick …
A rich burl inlay is meticulously inserted in its sculpted recess, adorned with distinctive heavy brass knob pulls;

* the sturdy (practical) drawer bins are all 3.5” deep; but, the drawer front heights vary for aesthetic reasons and for varying medical supplies … from top to bottom - 4.5”, 6.5”, and 7.5” … so each drawer will actually accommodate contents vertically of bigger dimensions;

* all drawer fronts are also smartly designed to be easily and quickly removed by simply turning 4 screws (and likewise easily and simply re-attach) … if and when a color change strikes your fancy … like maybe every year with a 5 minute rattle-can spray paint color application of your choice;

* the bottom two drawers have been carefully and meticulously painted by us. They originally had a natural wood finish color, similar to the sides and the top drawer. However, the inlaid raised “reed or bamboo”surface trim on the very bottom drawer, had a small section that needed some extra repair and perhaps replacement and it was decided that a bright contrasting color for the 2 bottom drawers would be a resolution to that tedious repair and more importantly further, by contrast, bring out the warm honey tones of the balance of the piece and the top.
Those two lower drawers received 5+ spray coat applications of a “heritage white” color shade that is available at mist big box stores; assuming you keep that color. A teal blue was originally applied, by us, but it was reasoned that “a white” may be more in keeping with its medical office heritage and provide a cleaner contrast;

* stamped and clearly embossed on each drawer bin’s underneath bottom … is a clear notice from the manufacturer indicating its medical history … by disclosing it can be “sanitized at up to 190 degrees” !

* it is in overall very fine condition for its age, with tight, solid joints;

* the wood components appear to be a unique and creative mixture of soft, hard, ply, reed, and hard burl … woods;

* the top is functionally wrapped in a thick textured piece of easily to clean and maintain Formica-like material … of a granite mottled pattern of tans, light golds, whites, and grays;

* all drawer pulls are quite solid and heavy and did polish up well … and also are promptly removable;

* the hinging silver bar on the back is also solid and weighty … and swings out to use to pull the cart
and/or to drape a bar towel;

* the top drawer’s beautiful burl insert was recently coated with 5 coats of Minwax satin poly during the lengthy restoration process;

* the back side is a colorful high quality ply, with original holes for apparent ventilation purposes;

* the item has a few, very minor scratches and blemishes, as described below and are clearly reflected in the photos.

The entire piece just recently received a 50+ hour professional restoration, that included a light re-stain and multiple coats of Minwax satin poly on the furniture’s wood … and a oil re-conditioning of the casters, wheels, hardware, and drawer pulls.

This piece is really quite a rarity as far as we can discern. We don’t think you’ll find another one like it…anywhere. See less