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Prototype for Ottawa Storage Cube by Paul Mayen
$4,500
£3,441.71
€3,938.70
CA$6,404.73
A$6,934.46
CHF 3,686.73
MX$83,634.39
NOK 46,362.76
SEK 43,223.30
DKK 29,417.08
About the Item
A rare and historically significant prototype designed by Paul Mayen (American, born Spain, 1918–2000) for what would become his celebrated Ottawa Storage Cube—a work now held in the permanent design collection of The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. This particular example comes directly from the family of Paul Mayen, offering exceptional provenance and insight into his early design development.
Mayen, who founded Architectural Supplements, Inc., was a pivotal figure in shaping the look of postwar American interiors. His work championed refined simplicity, modularity, and material honesty, aligning him with the American modernist movement while retaining a distinctly personal vision. His designs—often minimal, functional, and elegant—bridged the space between architecture and industrial design.
The Ottawa Cube was conceived as part of a system of modular furnishings that could be easily configured for living, working, or entertaining. As a prototype, this version may differ slightly in construction or finish from the eventual production models, making it a one-of-a-kind piece and a tangible part of design history.
Mayen’s work appealed to architectural purists and progressive interior designers—the kind of pieces found in homes furnished by Ward Bennett, Florence Knoll, or Billy Baldwin. These were often used in intellectual, design-forward interiors where versatility and clean lines were prized—stylish urban apartments, mid-century modernist homes, or executive office suites.
This prototype cube functions not just as smart, sculptural storage, but as a document of innovation—an artifact from the hand of a designer whose work continues to influence today’s makers and collectors.
An exceptionally rare and museum-linked piece, ideal for collectors of American modernism, MoMA-associated design, or early production prototypes.
- Creator:Paul Mayen (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 20.5 in (52.07 cm)Width: 20.5 in (52.07 cm)Depth: 20.5 in (52.07 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1974
- Condition:Repaired: some light touch ups to finish. Wear consistent with age and use. minor wear consistent with age/use, interior shelf missing and original latch broken.
- Seller Location:Kilmarnock, VA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8830792339
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