Pair Of Brutalist Shelves - Attributed To Audoux-minet - Varnished Oak - XXth Century

A lovely pair of wall shelves in varnished oak, the pure design with geometric shapes, is a clear reference to brutalism, the architectural style of the modern movement.
This movement was very popular from the 1950s to the 1970s, before gradually declining in the 1980s. 
 
It derives from the French word "brut", used by Le Corbusier to designate the wild, natural and primitive aspect of concrete when it is used without transformation. There is nothing brutal, however, in the terms used to refer to this practical and inexpensive material.
Brutalism is therefore defined by a functional and affordable material coupled with a modest and unpretentious aesthetic.  

Era: 20th century
Circa: 1950-1960
Dimensions: Height: 25cm x Length: 47cm x Width: 13.5cm
Attributed to : Audoux-Minet

The absence of a catalogue for the Audoux-Minnet company means that we have only partial knowledge of their production. Nevertheless, we know that it was certainly during their honeymoon that Adrien Audoux, originally from Franche-Comté, and Frida Minnet, originally from Switzerland, decided to set up their company in Cannes in 1929. 
        
In the 1950s, the company, better known as "le Doux Minet" and which took a black kitten as its symbol, invented a new style of furniture that would make their reputation and whose frame, often made of oak or beech, is entirely covered with raffia. 
It is interesting to note that the Maison Audoux-Minnet had no resellers and that only their sales outlet in Golfe-Juan offered their furniture.   

The company closed its doors for good in the 1990s.