Architectural Shelving Unit in Teak, Italy, 1960s

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Description

Italian furniture of the 1970s often approached storage as part of the architecture of a room. This wall-mounted shelving unit … Read more Italian furniture of the 1970s often approached storage as part of the architecture of a room. This wall-mounted shelving unit follows that idea with an unusually graphic composition, combining an elongated profile with a compact open compartment.

Made in teak, the unit is constructed around a long horizontal back panel whose outline changes towards one end. A sloping upper edge and angular lower cut create an asymmetrical silhouette, giving the piece a sense of movement without relying on decoration. Running across the panel is a narrow shelf, positioned slightly away from the surface and extending through much of its length.

At one side, the composition shifts into a deeper rectangular compartment. Its open construction provides useful storage for books, smaller objects or everyday items, and creates a pronounced contrast with the shallow shelf beside it. Rather than treating these elements as separate components, the maker has joined them into a single continuous form.

Teak veneer gives the broad surfaces a warm reddish-brown tone, with the grain remaining clearly visible across the long back panel. Slim edges and straightforward joinery keep attention on the geometry and proportions. Visible fixing points further underline the functional character of the piece.

Its cantilevered appearance and combination of shelf, container and wall panel relate closely to the modular and space-conscious furniture developed in Italy during the 1960s and 1970s. Mounted independently, it could serve beside a desk, above a low cabinet or as a sculptural storage element along a larger wall.

with its elongated proportions and asymmetrical construction, this shelving unit turns a practical object into an architectural wall feature. The restrained use of teak allows its unusual geometry to remain the main focus.

The shelving unit remains in good vintage condition, with signs of use consistent with its age. Surface wear, small scratches and marks are visible in places, particularly along the edges and inside the open compartment. See less