Oscar Stonorov and Willo von Moltke vanity set

Mirrors, United States, 1940s

A very rare dressing set by Oscar Stonorov and Willo von Moltke. The set features a wall-mount dressing table with three drawers and a mirror and a matching chair. The pieces are made of walnut and the chair is upholstered with a light brown fabric. The items were part of a larger set that was designed for the Organic Design in Home Furnishings competition of the MoMA, New York, where they won the first prize in the category of furniture for a bedroom.

The competition for furniture, lamps and textiles, curated by architect and designer Elliot Noyes, was called in 1940. The designs were in an organic style, which was describe as showing a “harmonious organization of the parts within the whole, according to structure, material, and purpose” and also with “no vain ornamentation or superfluity”. The winning designs were exhibited at the MoMA in 1941 as well as at a number of department stores throughout the country. The winners were also awarded a contract to produce and distribute the designs. However, due to the USA entering the War and the high prices, very few items were produced. The exhibition was a showcase for the Mid-Century Modern style, which would become widely popular after the War. Most successful were the armchairs by Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen, which are still produced to this day.

Wilhelm 'Willo' Viggo von Moltke (1911-1997) was a German-American architect, urban planner and designer. Oscar Stonorov (1905-1970) was a German-American architect, urban planner and designer.

Dimensions chair
H 26.97" / 68,5cm
W 17.32" / 44cm
D 17.32" / 44cm
SH 17.32" / 44cm