51 - PIERRE CHAPO (1927–1987)

PIERRE CHAPO (1927–1987) Model R08 Sideboard / Dresser Solid elm France, model designed around 1964 H84 W183 D53 cm Two doors and two drawers, exposed joints, and a wooden locking mechanism characteristic of this model. Created in 1964, the R08 is one of Pierre Chapo’s most iconic storage pieces. Its construction highlights the solid elm and the designer’s distinctive cabinetmaking craftsmanship, combining architectural lines, precise proportions, and traditional joinery. The doors are locked in place by the interlocking central wooden cube. Trained in cabinetmaking after studying at the Beaux-Arts, Pierre Chapo traveled throughout Europe and the United States before opening his own gallery in Paris and later settling in the Luberon. His solid wood furniture, primarily made of elm, combines the precision of modern architecture, the influence of Japanese craftsmanship, and echoes of Shaker design. The R08 sideboard epitomizes this approach: architectural proportions, traditional joints left exposed, and a door-locking system featuring a central wooden cube that fits into place.