An exceptional and rare example of early American modernist design, this Art Deco cabinet was created by pioneering industrial designer Donald Deskey for the Hamilton Manufacturing Company of Milwaukee, circa 1930. Celebrated for his groundbreaking work on Radio City Music Hall and his influence on American Art Deco, Deskey’s vision is clearly embodied in this streamlined and luxurious piece.
The cabinet features bookmatched burl wood drawer fronts paired with high-gloss black painted curved sides—an iconic pairing that speaks to Deskey’s mastery of contrast and material. Three wide drawers are accented by elongated ebonized pulls with nickel escutcheons, reinforcing the cabinet’s bold architectural presence. Rounded corners and subtle stepped detailing showcase the signature Streamline Moderne sensibility.
Donald Deskey (1894–1989) was a pioneering American industrial designer known for shaping modern design in the U.S. Trained in art and architecture, he began with commercial displays before co-founding Deskey-Vollmer, specializing in Art Deco furnishings. His most iconic work is the interior design of Radio City Music Hall (1932), where he used innovative materials and bold modern forms. He later designed furniture for Widdicomb and created the textured plywood “Weldtex.” In the 1940s, Deskey shifted to graphic and packaging design, creating iconic branding for Crest and Tide. A founding member of the Industrial Designers Society of America, he left a lasting legacy across interior, industrial, and graphic design.
Crafted by the esteemed Hamilton Manufacturing Company, this piece exemplifies the fusion of industrial innovation and sophisticated design. A stunning choice for use as a statement credenza, bar, or collector’s showpiece.
