Mid-20th century | Wood
Founded in 1905 by Joseph François De Coene and family, in succeeding decades the Belgian firm De Coene Freres (later Kortrijkse Kunstwerkstede Gebroeders De Coene) became well-known for some of Europe’s most exceptional furniture. Many prized De Coene pieces were influenced by Joseph’s friend Henry van de Velde, a leading Art Nouveau and then Art Deco designer. This dark oak carved highboard cabinet displays a later Brutalist design. The lighter ends of the tapered ellipse patterns on its door panels urge the eye downwards, emphasizing how solidly the piece occupies its space.