Magic Box Desk - Wooton, Mummenthaler & Meier, and Taiwan  

@mark737. Today I decided to do some research into  Mummenthaler and Meier.

So far I have found no images with a label nor any catalogues. However,I did find this link which shows ( stand 6) they designed some interiors at an exhibition in Basel in 1930; https://ein-haus-woba.ch/en/woba-1930/.

Further googling led me to archives with some of their designs. still no Magic Box Desk.

I read through a complete E-doc about this exhibition whose remit was to show furniture for smaller living spaces that were practical ( ie; multipurpose) and reasonably priced as part of a new design approach. At the time it had a lot of critics who felt this was leaning towards socialist ideals; this was an era of mounting tensions after all ! Still no Magic Box Desk images. In fact I could find very few photos of the exibits/showhomes.( I could probably do with an assistant who is au fait with modern technology search methods!! ) Their 3-M series of wardrobes/cabinets from the 30's are well documented.

So we have a big GAP in the information, especially with regard to dates of production as well as documentation. I personally think the German company were 1st to produce this desk,albeit at a much later date( ? 50's); the style is heavier/more substantial looking ,one could say more "old-fashioned"and has some nice details with regard to the side panels and the internal partitioning. I also think their version had the wooden light. And IF this was an original design by Mummenthaler and Meier, their interpretation is most likely the closest facsimile.IMHO

All of the other productions have "simplified " the design to reflect changing styles in the 60's.

 Have a good weekend. Time for a glass of  wine .

ps; on a side note ; we both have profile pics of dogs 😀 😎 .The one on the right in mine is called LEXI, go figure and the one on the left is ABBY. 

@lexi  Interesting stuff, but strange there doesn't seem to be much documentation on their work.  What are the 3-M pieces you mentioned? 

Here's the British version by the way, by Newcraft of London.  At least they were good enough to tag them for us.   

Having a nice glass of Grenache myself .  My dog is called Ollie.  We just got a new puppy last week so I'll update my profile shot as soon as I get a good shot of them together.  Cheers.       

@mark737.

https://www.eguide.ch/en/objekt/3m-mumenthaler-meier-moebel-ausfuehrung-drei-kantstabil/

https://www.emuseum.ch/en/people/13275/ernst-mumenthaler/objects

And finally, link to site which led me on the search re the 1930 exhibition.

https://www.objeta.be/product-page/ghost-box-desk-by-mumenthaler-meier

hi, have a magic box desk at home and wondering also who built it/ era / value etc

another photo

the back of the unit says - royal swedish brand.......anyone heard of that?

@steve-trupp. The Royal Swedish brand / stamp most likely refers to the makers of the backboard of the cabinet?

This "office in a box "as we have discovered so far,was made in various styles, in many countries including Germany,France,Norway,  and England ;based on a design by Wooten in the USA. I even found a version made in Brazil !!

I may have to go on search to find your model 🧐 

thanks lexi.......yes, they are amazing......but i'm no sure very practical - we have tried to use it but it just doesn't quite fit our house......lovely piece though.

I bought one of these today with the original brochure which says it was sold in Berlin.

It also has an old label on the back which I will post up an image once I have it on Tuesday if people are still interested here.

Regards

Wayne

The item

@ball-2 . Congrats on your purchase. We are always interested on this Forum in new information, especially documentation and LABELS !!

Looking forward to the label image on Tuesday or whenever you find the time.

Thank you for posting.

Hi Lexi

I'll take some images of the brochure tonight as it has what appears to be stamps from the dealer and what look like handwritten prices. (I took the brochure post item as I didn't want it to go missing in delivery).

And the label on the back on Tuesday.

It's been painted only on the exterior as you can see but that's not difficult to remove.

I purchased it in Canberra Australia today.

I only asked f people were still interested as I have posted over the last year and it seemed to be deserted not like it once was when I joined in 2010.

Regards

W

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