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German Dental Instrument Cabinet by Arnold Biber, Pforzheim, Circa 1920
€13,000
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An exceptionally rare German dental instrument cabinet manufactured by Arnold Biber of Pforzheim, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920. Created as a professional cabinet for a dental practice, this remarkable piece combines highly specialized functionality with an extraordinary architectural presence. Its distinctive design reflects an important period in the development of professional medical furniture, when traditional cabinetmaking was combined with increasingly sophisticated metal fittings and mechanisms. The cabinet features an impressive arrangement of glazed upper compartments, enclosed storage sections, and a central work surface. Its most striking feature is the series of ingenious pivoting, fan-shaped instrument trays positioned on either side of the cabinet. Each tray swings independently outward, providing convenient access to dental instruments while creating a spectacular sculptural effect when opened. Numerous polished metal fittings, hinges, handles, and hardware contrast beautifully with the deep black finish of the cabinet. The original maker's brass plaque reading “Arnold Biber, Pforzheim” remains preserved inside, providing an important confirmation of its origin. Arnold Biber established his dental laboratory in Pforzheim, Germany, in 1886. Following Biber's death, the business was taken over by Dr. Fritz Winkelstroeter in 1908 and expanded into the manufacture of complete dental equipment, including dental chairs, drilling machines, and instrument cabinets. The company subsequently developed into Dentaurum, one of Germany's long-established manufacturers of dental products. The cabinet has undergone a comprehensive professional restoration, carried out with particular attention to preserving its historical character, original construction, and distinctive mechanical details. The black surfaces have been carefully refinished, while the extensive metal fittings and mechanisms have been restored and polished, emphasizing the remarkable contrast and technical character of the piece. The cabinet also has an unusual international provenance. It was acquired in Norway, where according to its previous owner it had been brought from Argentina, adding another fascinating chapter to the history of this already exceptional object. Today, beyond its original medical purpose, the cabinet would make an outstanding collector's piece, display cabinet, bar cabinet, or statement piece in a sophisticated residential or commercial interior. With its dramatic appearance, ingenious mechanical construction, and documented German maker, it represents a rare surviving example of early 20th-century dental furniture. A highly distinctive piece combining German craftsmanship, industrial history, and sculptural design.
Specifications
ConditionExcellentColorsBlackMaterialWoodNumber of items1Height170 cmWidth120 cmDepth45 cm
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Private sellerZmigrod, PolandOn Whoppah since October 2024 • 0 sales