Extendable Teak Desk
with Storage
Folke Paalsson & Erik Ole Joergensen
Denmark, 1940s

Description:

An extendable teak “working table” produced in Denmark in the 1940s, designed collaboratively by Folke Pålsson and Erik Ole Jørgensen, and executed by the cabinetmaker K Thomsen.

Pålsson’s emphasis on durability and clarity of form, seen in works such as the J77 chair, now produced by HAY, is complemented here by Jørgensen’s architectural training and sensitivity to proportion, developed in part through his association with figures such as Hans J. Wegner and Kaare Klint. The result is an adaptable and multi-functional design that is both rigorously constructed and beautifully composed, executed with expert detailing and craftsmanship by Thomsen.

Often referred to as “working tables” rather than conventional desks, pieces like this were designed to accommodate shifting modes of use. With its drop-in leaves, this example expands significantly, allowing the table to operate interchangeably as a desk, studio work surface, or dining table, well suited to smaller or multi-use spaces.

The removable under-table cabinet extends the full width of the table, sitting flush between the supports and divided into two distinct zones. One side comprises four drawers with integrated recessed pulls, their interiors executed in maple and joined with finely cut dovetails. The opposite side features an open recess, ideal for books or display objects. Importantly, the cabinet can function independently, offering flexibility within a space and underscoring the modular logic of the design.

Subtle details further elevate the piece: the legs transition from sharp-edged where they meet the frame to softly rounded, reducing their visual weight and lending the desk a lighter, more elegant profile. The piece exemplifies the commitment to functional adaptability and emphasis on craftsmanship that now define Danish modern furniture.

Specifications:

Height: 71cm

Width: 84cm

Length: 149cm

Extended length: 267cm