Willy Van Der Meeren blue wardrobe for Tubax, Belgium ca. 1950

A small model wardrobe with blue metal sliding doors, designed by Willy Van Der Meeren for Tubax, Belgium 1952. This piece represents a classic illustration of mid-century Belgian industrial minimalist furniture design, commonly used in schools and factories. This small model wardrobe cabinet features two sliding doors made of lacquered metal with wooden handles, while the main structure is constructed from a black lacquered metal frame with wooden panels.
The sliding doors are grey-blue and dark-blue with solid teak wooden handles that are characteristic for Van Der Meeren’s’ design and which also resemble the handles in Jean Prouve and Charlotte Perriand design pieces. The wardrobe on one side is complimented by 3 shelves on the other side it has a rod to hang clothing. The cabinet has a nice aged patina and usage signs and is in fully original, good condition.

Willy van der Meeren (1923 – 2002) was a Belgian architect and furniture designer, was a significant figure in the 1950s Belgian furniture design world. His furniture designs were featured in the 1951 “La Jeune Décoration” exhibition and competition in Brussels, although he didn’t win the prize. However, his work did catch the eye of Jan Vits, who owned the metalworking company Tubax. Van Der Meeren and Tubax collaborated. Starting from 1951 until 1958, he created an extensive range of furniture designs for Tubax, intended for “The Contemporary Home”.

Literature: De Kooning, M., Willy Van Der Meeren. Furniture Design, 2007.