902/​989

Rigmor Andersen (b. Aarhus 1902, d. Søllerød 1995)

Wardrobe of Oregon pine with two doors. Corners, door edges and plinth of mahogany. Inside with shelves, drawers and hanger rails. Made 1962 by cabinetmaker Jørgen Christensen. H. 210 cm. W. 138 cm. D. 65 cm.

Provenance: Rigmor Andersen. Hence by descent to her son Architect Niels Kryger.

The design is based on a series of built-in cabinets that Rigmor Andersen designed for Director Brøndums Villa on Gjørlingsvej 11, Hellerup, Denmark.

The cabinet lends as a type from the simple cabinets that Kaare Klint designed in the 1930–1940s, and in its choice of materials and expression from “Boligens Byggeskabe” by Børge Mogensen and Grethe Meyer. This is of course neither surprising nor unusual. Rather all parties here would view that as an expression of that they were collectively on the right path. However Rigmor Andersen´s cabinet appears as one of the very best of this type in the history of Danish furniture design. There is an ascetic simplicity and a construction where the contrast between the base, and “frames” of mahogany with the body, doors and interior of Oregon pine creates a geometric figure that clarifies the function of the furniture. It is hard to imagine a more simple and rationally designed wardrobe cabinet. The craftsmanship involved in its making obvisouly equally restricts its accessibility. Furniture by Rigmor Andersen is not for making a big splash.

Two keys included.

Auction

Design: Silver, ceramics, furniture, lamps and carpets, 10 June 2021

Category
Estimate

20,000–30,000 DKK

Sold

Price realised

24,000 DKK