Bookcase by Jules Wabbes

Wengé and gunmetal-finished steel bookcase, model created in 1955 by Jules Wabbes.
Solid wengé bookcase with a vertical structure, characterized by rigorously architectural proportions and a great formal restraint. The piece is conceived as a rectangular column, articulated by a succession of adjustable shelves supported by a discreet system of integrated lateral shelf supports.
The structure rests on a recessed steel cradle with a gunmetal finish, which visually lightens the mass of the piece while asserting its constructive character. This metal base introduces a controlled contrast with the depth of the wenge—a dense wood with dark tonalities and pronounced grain—further emphasized by darkened interior panels that enhance the legibility and depth of the overall composition.
At the intersection of working furniture and interior architecture, this secretary fully illustrates Jules Wabbes’s approach: functional, durable, and exacting furniture, conceived as a structuring element of space.
Jules Wabbes (1919–1974) was a leading figure of Belgian post-war modernist design. His work is characterized by architectural rigor, the use of noble materials, and an exceptional standard of craftsmanship.