Mahogany And Solid Brass Magazine Rack By Raphaël Raffel, Circa 1950

Modernist-era living room magazine rack circa 1950s designed by French designer, decorator, and interior architect Raphaël Raffel (1912–2000), known as Raphaël.

Trained at the prestigious Maison Jansen from 1929 to 1934, Raphaël Raffel acquired a rigorous mastery of high-end cabinetmaking and bronze engraving there. Establishing his own practice in 1934, his clientele included numerous celebrities, such as Josephine Baker. During the 1950s and 1960s, his style evolved toward modernism: He began creating pieces with clean, geometric lines, while retaining the technical expertise he had acquired through his classical training. A multifaceted designer, he carried out major public commissions for the government—such as the interior redesign of several ministries, as well as part of Paris City Hall and private mansions—before making a a radical artistic shift toward pop and organic design by founding Maison Honoré.
This magazine rack exemplifies his first major period in the 1950s, a synthesis of the technical rigor of the great interior design houses and the graphic elegance of Modernism.

This fixed-structure model rests on a cross-braced base made of solid brass.
The central axis is adorned with finely carved lion heads, from which four uprights extend, ending in stylized spinning-top feet. The storage panels are made of solid varnished mahogany. A closer look at the structure reveals a traditional, high-quality assembly method characteristic of postwar art workshops and predating the designer’s later works. The components, all made of solid brass, are fitted into threads cut directly into the material. The central piece bearing the lion’s head features the letter “K” cold-stamped on the reverse. This period workshop hallmark served as a manual alignment reference when the bronze smith was adjusting the threads, attesting to meticulous artisanal craftsmanship.

Condition:
The object is in excellent condition and structurally stable.
The solid brass retains its original luster, and the mahogany wood is also in good condition, with only very slight signs of wear.
See the photos, which clearly show the object’s condition and attractive appearance.

Dimensions:
Height 43 cm
Width 44 cm
Depth 45 cm

More information available upon request.
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