Vintage brutalist oak sideboard from De Coene, 1970s

Geometrical credenza, De Coene Belgium, ebonized oak, the 1970s. De Coene was founded in 1887 in Kortrijk (Belgium) by Jozef de Coene, who was at that time 13 years old. In 1895 his younger brother Adolphe joined the company. In their early years, De Coene was inspired by Henry van de Velde, Art Deco and the Arts & Crafts movement. The company made many custom made furnishings which leads to expansive growth. After world war one, the brother visited the United States where they became acquainted with laminated wood production and purchased a wood-stripping machine. They were the first company that made a triplex in Belgium which led to the ability to mass-produce. In 1954 they received the right to produce Knoll furniture. But although the company produced on a large-scale, there were still world-famous for their meticulously detailed, high-quality and Art Deco-inspired furniture.