Jordi Vilanova

JORDI VILANOVA I BOSCH (Rubí, Barcelona, 1925 – Barcelona, 1998)
Large chest of drawers with writing desk, ca. 1962.
Wood with a walnut finish, brass handles and key, and iron legs.
It retains its original handles and key.
In very good condition.
Measurements: 138 x 70 x 40 cm; desk height: 77 cm; total depth with the desk open: 70 cm.

The integration of a large-capacity chest of drawers and a folding writing desk exemplifies the attention Jordi Vilanova paid to the functional organization of domestic space. The tall design allows for numerous compartments to be concentrated within a small footprint, while the lockable front transforms, when opened, into a work surface at a comfortable height. The interior features a carefully arranged layout of small drawers, compartments, and open shelves designed to organize writing supplies.

The strict grid pattern of the drawers is lightened by small cylindrical brass handles and the black iron base, which visually separates the wooden body from the floor. These protruding elements—discreet and well-proportioned—introduce rhythm into a composition dominated by geometry and simplicity.

Trained as a cabinetmaker and interior designer, Vilanova developed his own design language based on a synthesis of the precision of Nordic design, the Mediterranean tradition of craftsmanship, and the needs of modern living. Working independently since 1952, he played an active role in the renewal of Catalan design during the 1960s and 1970s and was involved in initiatives such as the FAD Association of Industrial Designers and the La Cantonada collective. His professional archive is preserved at the Disseny Hub Barcelona, a testament to his significance in the history of 20th-century Spanish furniture.