Town Hall Budel Cabinet by Jan de Jong, Netherlands, 1967

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Designed and executed by Jan de Jong for the Raadhuis Budel in the Netherlands in 1967, this large cabinet is … Read more Designed and executed by Jan de Jong for the Raadhuis Budel in the Netherlands in 1967, this large cabinet is a striking example of the refined austerity and proportional clarity characteristic of the Bossche School. Originally part of the town hall interior, it is one of the few pieces that survived the 1997 renovation, when much of the original furniture was discarded. Several inhabitants of Budel were given the opportunity to rescue a limited number of elements, preserving them from being lost entirely. The cabinet is built from solid wood with a dark brown-green lacquer that subtly shifts in tone depending on the light, creating a surface that is both architectural and tactile. The front and sides are meticulously punctuated with copper nails arranged in perfectly spaced rows, emphasizing the structural logic of the piece. Its large circular wooden door handles and its generous proportions make it both functional and sculptural. Inside, the shelving layout reflects a strong sense of order and rhythm, a hallmark of De Jong’s design language. As with all the interior furnishings of Raadhuis Budel, the cabinet is based on the Plastic Number, the proportional system developed by Dom Hans van der Laan. This system ensured harmony between architecture and furniture, creating spaces of remarkable balance. The combination of the deep lacquer finish with the copper nail detailing mirrors the material language of the building itself, linking structure and object seamlessly. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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