Vintage teak and beech sideboard by Gillis Lundgren for Ikea, Sweden 1955

This modernist sideboard was designed by Gillis Lundgren for the Swedish company IKEA in 1955. The piece of furniture is part of the Forum series, which appeared in the company's catalog in 1956. The sideboard is made of teak wood in a warm shade of brown. The sideboard has six stepped drawers in the middle. The outer cabinets have lockable doors and shelves inside. The door is decorated with a black detail with oblong wooden handles. The base is made of delicately adjustable legs. They are made of beech wood stained black. It is an example of Scandinavian functionalism, whose aesthetics are very important also. One copy is in the IKEA Museum in Älmhult, the Swedish town where Ingvar Kamprad opened his first store in 1958. Gillis Lundgren (1929-2016) was a Swedish furniture designer. He joined IKEA in 1953 as the fourth employee. He designed many of the company's products, including the world-famous Billy bookcase. Lundgren is also credited with inspiring the self-assembly concept that revolutionized the company. In retirement, he continued to be associated with the company as a consultant. IKEA is an international conglomerate of Swedish origin that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture, household appliances and home accessories. Founded in Sweden in 1943 by 17-year-old Ingvar Kamprad, IKEA has been the world's largest furniture retailer since 2008. The company is known for modernist designs of various types of appliances and furniture, and its arrangement works are often associated with ecological simplicity. This sideboard is in original vintage condition. It has minor traces of age and a natural patina. Literature: IKEA catalogue, 1956, page 1 Reference : 306074