Skønvirke Pine Desk
Martin Nyrop
Denmark, 1905

Description:

A pine desk designed by architect Martin Nyrop and made by cabinetmaker Rudolph Rasmussen during the early 20th century.

This desk, until recently, was part of the interior of the Copenhagen Town Hall. A building designed by architect Martin Nyrop in the Danish Art Nouveau style ("Skønvirke"), also referred to as the National Romantic style. 

Nyrop designed the totality of the Town Hall: exterior, accessories, & furnishings. Construction on the building began in 1892 and concluded in 1905, therefore this desk was designed, built and installed before 1905. This makes the design one of the first major collaborations for cabinetmaker Rudolph Rasmussen.

From its incised detailing and brass accents, this desk shares many of the restrained decorative accents seen across the furniture made for the Copenhagen Town Hall. In particular, the incised linear details, seen on the legs and the beautifully patinated brass foot bar can be seen in the bookcases and cabinets from the same project. 

Specifications:

Height: 75.5cm

Length: 131cm

Width: 81cm

Height from floor to underside of desk: 58.5cm

Materials: Pine and green linoleum