A British Colonial Teakwood Bookcase

This compact book cabinet was made from solid Teak wood and dates to the 1940's. During the late British Empire in India and Burma, much furniture was made in the Art Deco Style using local hardwoods and native furniture builders. Note the lack of decoration and lack of a crown -this is a minimalist piece of vintage furniture, which allows the fine tropical hardwood and simple grid structure of the shelves and doors to command attention. Art Deco was the world's first truly global furniture style, and it embodied the modern belief in progress. Since teak wood is naturally resistant to insects and moisture, a surprisingly large amount of it has survived, especially in Burma, now Myanmar. Restored, re-varnished. Glass panes are new. Rangoon, c.1940.