Scandinavian Krobo Bench in Rosewood attributed to Torbjørn Device for Middle Strands, 1960s

About This Piece

Vintage Design

"Krobo" bench by Torbjørn Afdal for Mellemstrands Trevareindustri, Norway. The bench is made of solid wood with thick rosewood vaneer. It can be used in many ways, for example as a planter stand, a TV bench, or a coffee table. Condition: Very good original condition with minor scratches and signs of use.

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Creator	Torbjørn Afdal
Manufacturer	Mellemstrands Trevareindustri (Manufacturer) , Torbjørn Afdal (Designer)
Production Period	1960 to 1969
Country of Manufacture	Norway
Identifying Marks	This piece is attributed to the above-mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark
Style	Vintage, Scandinavian Modern
Detailed Condition	Very Good — This vintage/antique item has no defects, but it may show slight traces of use.
Product Code	FM-1609995
Restoration and Damage Details	Wear consistent with age and use.
Materials	Wood, Rosewood
Color	Gold
Width	120 cm 120 cm
Depth	37 cm 37 cm
Height	34 cm 34 cm
Weight Range	Standard — Between 40kg and 80kg

Shipping & Delivery

Ships from	Sweden
Returns	Returns accepted within fourteen days of delivery, except for Made-to-order items

Sustainability

Carbon Neutral	For every purchase made, Pamono offsets 100% of estimated carbon emissions from global shipping.
Vintage	Choosing vintage and antique furniture reduces your carbon footprint by cutting down on waste and reduces demand for new materials and extends the life of the products we use.

Delivery Options

Front Door Delivery: (Included in Every Order)	A skilled driver will unload the item(s) from the delivery truck and bring it to your building’s doorstep. You will be responsible for further transport beyond that point. We recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand; alternatively, you may upgrade to In-Home Delivery (see below). The delivery partner will email and/or call you at least one day in advance to arrange a delivery time. A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection. Item will be left in its packaging after delivery. A signature will be required upon delivery.
In-Home Delivery: (For in-home delivery service, additional fees apply. Please get in touch)	A skilled driver or a team of two will bring your item(s) inside your home and place it in the immediate entryway. For unusually large or heavy items, we recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand, as we cannot send more than 2 drivers. The delivery partner will email and/or call you one day in advance to arrange a delivery time. A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection. Item will be left in its packaging after delivery. A signature will be required upon delivery.

Front Door Delivery:
(Included in Every Order)

A skilled driver will unload the item(s) from the delivery truck and bring it to your building’s doorstep. You will be responsible for further transport beyond that point. We recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand; alternatively, you may upgrade to In-Home Delivery (see below).
The delivery partner will email and/or call you at least one day in advance to arrange a delivery time.
A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection.
Item will be left in its packaging after delivery.
A signature will be required upon delivery.

In-Home Delivery:
(For in-home delivery service, additional fees apply. Please get in touch)

A skilled driver or a team of two will bring your item(s) inside your home and place it in the immediate entryway. For unusually large or heavy items, we recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand, as we cannot send more than 2 drivers.
The delivery partner will email and/or call you one day in advance to arrange a delivery time.
A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection.
Item will be left in its packaging after delivery.
A signature will be required upon delivery.

*Important Note

Please examine every order upon delivery. In the event that there are visible signs of damage or missing or incorrect pieces, please indicate the problem on the Delivery Note and contact us within 48 hours of delivery. A signed delivery receipt without notations of missing, damaged, or incorrect item(s) represents your acceptance of the complete order in perfect condition.

About the Creator

Torbjørn Afdal

Torbjørn Afdal (1917-1999) is remembered as one of the most prolific and well-respected Norwegian designers of the postwar period. Born in 1917 in the Voss region of Norway, Afdal studied at the National Academy of Craft and Art Industry, graduating in 1946. He was taken on as a designer by Bruksbo Tegnekontor (Bruksbo Drawing Office), eventually becoming the company's top designer.

Afdal’s Krobo Bench (1960) was an instant success in Norway, perhaps because its ultra-minimal aesthetic rendered it uniquely flexible; this was the bench that could be anything you wanted it to be. Afdal also designed liquor cabinets and dry bars, including Bacchus (1955) and, more famously, Times (1960s), a rosewood liquor cabinet on castors with subtle brass detailing. Afdal’s other creations include the Hunter Lounge Chair (1962) and the Minerva Office Chair (1965).

Many sources state that Afdal’s Form Dining Set (1959) was awarded the gold medal at the So Wohnt Europa furniture fair in Munich, but Pamono's editors are still working to confirm this. While many vintage dealers list either Bruksbo or Mellemstrands Møbelfabrik as Afdal's manufacturers, the labels appear together and should be considered one and the same company.

Afdal’s designs were collected by US First Lady Jackie Kennedy for the White House, Japanese Emperor Hirohito, and Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland.