Philip Johnson Mid-Century Modern Custom Dry Bar or Cocktail Cabinet, 1953

This exceptional mid-century modern dry bar or cocktail cabinet was custom designed by American architect Philip Johnson circa 1953 for the New York City apartment of William A. M. Burden Jr., collector and then-president of the Museum of Modern Art. Executed in highly figured wood veneer, this monumental vintage bar cabinet was created as part of Johnson’s renovation of the Burden residence at 820 Fifth Avenue, an important modernist interior designed to accommodate the family’s collection of modern art.

Designed as a fully integrated entertaining and liquor cabinet, the bar features a large fold-down white laminate serving and preparation surface with recessed stainless-steel receptacle, built-in refrigerator, and two banks of graduated drawers providing extensive specialized storage. Fitted drawer interiors include removable custom divider panels with cut-out circular holders designed for glassware, bottles and other bar accessories. The refrigerator retains its original metal-lined interior, wire shelf and small upper compartment but is no longer operational. Circular metal pulls provide a restrained contrast to the highly figured veneer exterior. The reverse of the cabinet is fully finished, allowing the freestanding cabinet to be positioned within a room and used as a room divider.

Background Information
Johnson’s renovation of the Burden apartment dates to 1953 and was undertaken in collaboration with pioneering architectural lighting designer Richard Kelly. Other documented custom furnishings from the residence include furniture designed by Johnson and lighting designed by Johnson and Kelly. The interior was photographed by noted architectural photographer Pedro E. Guerrero, whose surviving period photographs document the apartment’s living room, dining room, library, bedroom and dressing room.

William A. M. Burden Jr. was an important American collector and longtime trustee of the Museum of Modern Art. He was elected president of MoMA in 1953, serving until 1959, and again from 1962 to 1965. The cabinet remained associated with the Burden collection and was subsequently offered at Sotheby’s New York, 20th Century Design, March 17, 2010, lot 47.

CONDITION
Excellent vintage condition with wear consistent with age and use, including general surface marks, scuffs and minor losses. The cabinet is exceptionally well-crafted, heavy and substantial. Built-in refrigerator is currently non-operational.

DIMENSIONS
W 84” x D 21.25” x H 57.5”