Cabinet -1958

Walnut and laurel wood, pandanus cloth
80 x 274 x 51 cm

Provenance:
From the estate of Dr. Seymour and Mrs. Phyllis Lifschutz, Princeton, New Jersey
Private collection, Belgium

This cabinet is a rare and exceptional work by George Nakashima, conceived as a custom order for one of his most important patrons, Dr. Lifschutz, whose name is inscribed on the back of the piece. It reflects a direct exchange between maker and client: the original receipt, dated 1958, not only specifies the wood species employed but also includes a manuscript addition referring to the grilled door.
Executed in walnut with a laurel top, the cabinet demonstrates Nakashima’s sustained engagement with the inherent qualities of natural materials. Its elongated horizontal format emphasizes the linear grain of the wood, while the restrained construction reflects his consistent focus on clarity of form and balanced proportion. Subtle tonal variations across the surface highlight the organic character of the timber, an essential aspect of Nakashima’s approach, informed in part by Japanese attitudes toward nature and its aesthetic potential. The cabinet also displays visible dovetail joints at the corners, a hallmark of his work, further accentuated by the contrast in the panel tones. One third of the cabinet is defined by a hinged grilled door retaining its original textile infill of handwoven pandanus cloth, introducing a measured rhythm to the façade while maintaining a sense of lightness.
The provenance of the cabinet reflects a sustained relationship between the maker and his patrons. Beginning in 1956, the Lifschutz family assembled a significant and highly individual group of Nakashima’s work, eventually comprising more than fifty pieces. Many were custom-made for their home in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and later transferred to their residence in Princeton. Over time, a close relationship developed between the two families, with Dr. Lifschutz also serving as physician to the Nakashimas.