On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

This object consists of 17 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Set of Storage Boxes

ca 1938 (made)
Artist/Maker
Vereinigte Lausitzer Glaswerke (maker)
Wagenfeld, Wilhelm (designer)
Place of origin
Germany (made)

Set of stacking storage boxes from a set of ten, some with lids, clear glass. The set of boxes of various sizes based on a square module and varying from rectangular to large and small squares. Each with rounded corners, three with corners shaped to form a pouring lip and moulded with a flush finger grip within the corner.

Object details

Category
Glass
Object type
Set of storage boxes
Parts
This object consists of 17 parts.

  • Storage Container
  • Storage Container
  • Cover
  • Storage Container
  • Jug
  • Cover
  • Jug
  • Cover
  • Jug
  • Storage Container
  • Storage Container
  • Storage Container
  • Storage Container
  • Cover
  • Cover
  • Cover
  • Cover
Materials and techniques
Glass
Brief description
Set of stacking storage boxes, clear grey-green glass. Designed by Wilhelm Wagenfeld for Vereinigte Lausitzer Glaswerke. Germany (Saxony), Weisswasser, about 1938
Physical description
Set of stacking storage boxes from a set of ten, some with lids, clear glass. The set of boxes of various sizes based on a square module and varying from rectangular to large and small squares. Each with rounded corners, three with corners shaped to form a pouring lip and moulded with a flush finger grip within the corner.
Dimensions
  • Overall 17 stacked boxes height: 21.5cm (Note: dimensions are for 17 storage containers tacked together)
  • Width: 26.3cm
  • Depth: 18cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Elongated rhombus with internal double crosses (Moulded on C.154C-1980)
  • 3 circles (Moulded on C.154D-1980)
Gallery label
(2021)
Compact space-savers

As compact living has become more common, designers have created smart, multifunctional and small-scale solutions for furniture, storage and technology. The Kubus glass boxes fit together interchangeably and are heat resistant, making them useful for storing and heating foods. The compact sink and wall-mounted CD player were both designed for smaller homes with less space, while the Boby trolley offers flexible storage on wheels suitable for any room of the house.

Stackable glass containers
Kubus, about 1938
Designed by Wilhelm Wagenfeld
Manufactured by Vereinigte Lausitzer Glaswerke, Germany
Press-moulded glass
Museum no. C.154&A, B, D to J, L, N, O P-1980

Flexible storage trolley
Boby, 1970
Designed by Joe Colombo
Manufactured by Bieffeplast, Italy
Injection-moulded ABS plastic
Given by Valerie Mendes
Museum no. W.5:1 to 4-1992

Small sink for the Barbican Estate, London
1966
Designed by L Michael Hohmann and Chamberlin, Powell and Bon
Manufactured by Twyfords, UK
‘Ceramant’ vitreous ceramic
Museum no. CIRC.395-1967

Wall-mounted CD player with pull-string switch
1999
Designed by Naoto Fukasawa
Manufactured by Muji, Japan
ABS plastic and electronic components
Museum no. CD.80:1, 6-2016

The object sits in the 'Housing and Living' section of the Design 1900-Now gallery opened in June 2021.
'21. A set of Stacking Storage Boxes:
Kubus-Geschirr (Cube Ware)
Designed by Wilhelm Wagenfeld (German, born 1900)
Made by the Vereinigte Lausitzer Glaswerke, Germany, about 1938
Clear grey green glass
C.154-1980

Christine Frederich's Scientific Management in the home, 1920, had a significant impact on kitchen design, encouraging a functionalist approach to storage. This set won official approval from the National Socialists, and was selected for the German Index of Goods in Berlin in 1939.
Object history
Dan Klein, Esq.
Historical context
Probably designed for use in a refridgerator.
Collection
Ceramics Collection
Accession number
C.154, A to P-1980

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Record createdFebruary 16, 2006
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O121129/set-of-storage-wagenfeld-wilhelm/
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