Geraldo de Barros “MF 710” Modular Bookshelf in Rosewood, Formica & Metal for Unilabor, Brazil, c. 1955 — Lot 109

Description

Designed by Geraldo de Barros for Unilabor, the MF 710 modular bookshelf brings the clarity of Brazilian Concrete art into the domestic interior. This circa 1955 example balances slender black iron uprights with richly figured rosewood, white Formica, and discreet brass details. Streamlined and sophisticated, its architectural composition gives practical storage an unusually expressive presence.

Four narrow metal supports establish a rhythm of three vertical bays, framing an asymmetrical arrangement of open space and enclosed cabinetry. A long upper shelf unifies the structure, while an elevated white-lined compartment sits beside a rosewood-fronted cabinet. Below, three white-fronted drawers balance a second rosewood cabinet, with a low metal rack completing the right-hand bay. Generous intervals between these elements allow light and views to pass through the piece, preserving its visual lightness.

The rosewood provides a striking counterpoint to this disciplined geometry. Dark veins trace fluid patterns across the cabinet fronts and sides, shifting from fine horizontal lines to broader, swirling figures. The wood has been professionally restored, bringing depth and a subtle luster to its beautifully aged character. White Formica introduces a quiet graphic contrast, while small pulls, exposed fasteners, and restrained brass foot details articulate the construction. The hardware is original, and the brass and metal remain in original condition, retaining their age-related character. The Unilabor manufacturer’s mark is preserved underneath the lower cabinets.

A pioneering artist, photographer, and designer, Geraldo de Barros helped establish Unilabor in São Paulo in 1954. The cooperative connected modern furniture production with shared decision-making and a broader social purpose. Within this framework, the MF 710 used standardized components that customers could select and arrange at purchase. Its name references its principal structural materials: madeira and ferro—wood and iron. The relationship between linear framing, solid planes, and open intervals reflects the geometric thinking that informed de Barros’s wider artistic practice.

The model’s significance is recognized by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, which acquired an MF 710 shelving unit in 2020. Its enduring appeal lies equally in this design history and in the ease with which it inhabits contemporary rooms.

Highly decorative and functional, this Brazilian modern bookshelf offers space for books, ceramics, and sculpture alongside concealed storage for everyday use. Its finished wood backs also lend it to placement as a freestanding room divider, where the alternating volumes can be appreciated from multiple viewpoints. Whether installed in a living room, study, or collector’s interior, it brings warmth, structure, and a distinctly Brazilian material sensibility to the space.