Donald Deskey for AMODEC, Tall Chest

Donald Deskey (1894-1989) was an innovative American industrial designer best known for designing the interiors of the Art Deco jewel, Radio City Music Hall.  "Donald Deskey was among the leading figures to introduce modern design in the United States in the late 1920's, said David A. Hanks, the author of "Donald Deskey:  Decorative Designs and Interiors", published in 1987.  "Even though he looked to Europe for inspiration, his concerns were more practical and characteristic of the best of American furniture design."  I have been an admirer of Deskey's work for a very long time and purchased Hanks' book about a decade ago.  Until now, I have only seen Deskey pieces in museums.  His work is in many museums internationally including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the MOMA.  This very rare and pretty exceptional example of Art Deco furniture design was part of a collection for AMODEC.  The American Modern Decoration Co. was Deskey's venture into the manufacturing and promotion of his own designs.  The line made its' debut at special showings at the Waldorf-Astoria, New York in 1930 where thirty-five rooms were rented as showrooms.  The line was very well received and an "innovative experiment in the design and promotion of modern furniture", but problems in marketing caused the line to be short lived making the pieces quite rare today.  An AMODEC catalogue is in the collection of the Cooper-Hewitt Museum.  This chest, which has been expertly restored to near showroom condition, has a rosewood top and base, and ebonized sides.  The lacquered drawer fronts have chrome and ebonized wood pulls.  The drawers all operate smoothly and the chest is on casters.  This is a rare opportunity to welcome a piece of American and Art Deco History into your home!  50" h., 34" w., 19" d.  American, c. 1931  SOLD
 

 Donald Deskey in the second mezzanine's men's lounge at Radio City Music Hall

 Radio City Music Hall Interiors

 AMODEC bedrooms in the Deskey book.  The photo on the left shows other pieces from the line of the chest we are featuring