Vintage Japanese “Swallow” Refrigerator Cabinet, 1950s

Special Japanese refrigerator cabinet from the Shōwa period, 1950s, made by “Swallow” – originally a non-electric refrigerator for the hospitality industry or small shops, now a fantastic industrial piece of furniture.

Dimensions: height 74 cm, width 51 cm, depth 40 cm.

At the front you see a shiny metal façade with two separate cooling compartments, each closed by two doors. The four heavy latches clamp the doors firmly shut. Inside, the walls are lined with galvanised sheet metal; in the lower section there is still a metal wire shelf for bottles or supplies. The sides and back are entirely made of zinc, with a beautiful hammered texture.

On the front are several original maker’s plaques, including a rectangular badge at the top with the brand name “Swallow”.

The cabinet shows natural traces of use: scratches, some rust around the edges and near the hinges. All of this suits the robust, industrial look perfectly and gives the piece a lot of character.

Today it is no longer a functioning refrigerator, but a great bar cabinet or storage unit. The upper compartment can hold glasses, carafes or small dishes, while the lower part is ideal for bottles of wine, sake or mixers. In a kitchen, restaurant, bar or loft interior it becomes a real eye-catcher, and it also brings a distinctive industrial Japanese accent to a living room or studio.

Shipping & pickup: pickup in Antwerp possible; worldwide shipping on request.

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