Vuillermoz Polyhedron Bar Cabinet, France, 1960

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This exceptional dry bar is a rare and highly sculptural piece that speaks to the refined experimentation of French design … Read more This exceptional dry bar is a rare and highly sculptural piece that speaks to the refined experimentation of French design in the postwar period. Crafted in richly toned hardwood, the bar retains its original warm hue, allowing the natural grain of the wood to remain fully visible and expressive. The exterior is both elegant and architectural, immediately drawing attention through its carefully balanced proportions and distinctive form. The bar opens through three fold out sections, each revealing a fully upholstered interior finished in cognac colored leatherette. This interior treatment adds a luxurious tactile quality while creating a striking contrast with the warmth of the hardwood exterior. Brass detailed racks are integrated into the interior, offering practical and elegant storage for glasses and accessories while enhancing the overall visual rhythm of the design. At the center of the composition lies a hexagonal compartment finished with a brass rack, conceived to securely hold bottles or glassware. This element functions as both a practical organizer and a visual focal point, catching and reflecting light beautifully when stocked, and lending the bar an almost jewel like presence when opened. The exterior is further refined by brass plated accents, while discreet rubber wheels allow the piece to be moved easily within a space without compromising its refined appearance. The polyhedral compartment is supported by a central base that rests on a star shaped foot with gently curved lines, creating a dynamic contrast between sharp geometry and soft sculptural movement. The bar remains in very good original condition, showing only minimal and honest signs of age consistent with careful use. The polyhedron shaped design finds its roots in ancient mathematical thought, particularly in the studies associated with Plato’s Academy. Thinkers such as Theaetetus, who formalized solid geometry and defined the five regular polyhedra, established ideals of balance, order, and harmony that have resonated through centuries of art and design. This dry bar echoes those timeless principles, transforming mathematical purity into a functional object of enduring beauty and intellectual depth. See less