May 4, 2023
Modern Art & Design presents Otto Schulz - Boet
Otto Schulz was born in 1882 in Germany and died in 1970 in Gothenburg. He trained as an interior architect at the Technical School in Charlottenburg from 1900–1907. During the years 1904 – 1907, while still studying, he simultaneously worked with the Swedish-born architect Professor Alfred Grenander. In 1907, after receiving a diploma from the Kunstgewerbe Museum in Berlin, Schulz moved to Sweden and Gothenburg. After a period as an employee, in 1910, he started his own business as an interior architect specializing in ship interiors.
In 1917, Schulz was commissioned to design the new interiors at Bräutigams Konditori on Östra Hamngatan in Gothenburg. This became an important assignment and certainly gave a boost to his career. In 1920, the firm Boet was founded in partnership with Adolf Nordenberg in Gothenburg. Boet was a furniture and interior design company located at the intersection of Kungsportsavenyn and Kristinelundsgatan. The store displayed full-scale interior design content for inspiration, advice and sales. They also had other producers' items and objects in the range in the showrooms.
Otto Schulz applied for patents for techniques that were used on Boet furniture and interior details: Bosaik (a mosaic coating that was resistant to moisture), Botarsia (a pattern technique using brass pins on wood) and Bopoint (brass nails placed in decoration pattern on the fabric, leather or artificial leather).
Watercolour showing the auction’s cabinet in green velvet and geometric decoration with pearl nails.
From 1926, Nordenberg left out the partnership, and Schulz became the sole owner of Boet. Schulz also published the magazine Boet between the years 1928-1938. The magazine has been, and still is today, an essential source of knowledge. In addition to showing Boet's interiors, the focus was equally on showing the interiors of other contemporary furniture architects, both Swedish and international. According to the preface in the first publication in 1928, the aim was:
”
Boet magazine intends to meet the current need for discussion, for information regarding the artistic and practical design of the home.
Otto Schulz, a pair of easy chairs, Boet, Gothenburg 1930s. Estimate 50 000 – 75 000 SEK.
Otto Schulz was an architect who went his way and designed furniture that is often unparalleled among contemporary colleagues. His collective impressions and experiences are manifested in the furniture he designed. So far, Schulz’s design is relatively unknown internationally compared to, for example, his Swedish colleagues Axel Einar Hjorth’s and Josef Frank’s.
Browse & bid on a beautiful selection of Otto Schulz at Modern Art + Design.
Viewing May 11 – 15, Berzelii Park 1, Stockholm
Open Weekdays 11 am – 6 pm, weekends 11 am – 4 pm
Live Auction May 16 – 17, Arsenalsgatan 2, Stockholm
See all Otto Schulz furniture
Furniture by Otto Schulz
225
Otto Schulz
A velvet covered Swedish Modern cabinet, Sweden, late 1920s.
Hammer price
760 000 SEK
Estimate
100 000 - 150 000 SEK
227
Otto Schulz
A table lamp, Boet, Gothenburg 1930-40s.
Hammer price
19 000 SEK
Estimate
8 000 - 10 000 SEK
229
Otto Schulz
A 'Bosaik' wall shelf, Boet, Gothenburg 1940-50s.
Hammer price
Unsold
Estimate
6 000 - 8 000 SEK
230
Otto Schulz
A pair of Swedish Modern easy chairs, Boet, Gothenburg 1930s-40s.
Hammer price
180 000 SEK
Estimate
100 000 - 150 000 SEK
231
Otto Schulz
A Swedish Modern sofa, Sweden 1930s-40s.
Hammer price
125 000 SEK
Estimate
75 000 - 100 000 SEK
232
Otto Schulz
A "Bosaik" serving trolley, Boet, Gothenburg 1940s.
Hammer price
10 000 SEK
Estimate
12 000 - 15 000 SEK
233
Otto Schulz
A set of three mahogany occasional 'Bosaik' tables, Boet Gothenburg, 1940s.
Hammer price
8 000 SEK
Estimate
8 000 - 10 000 SEK
234
Otto Schulz
A Swedish Modern easy chair, Boet, Gothenburg 1930s-40s.
Hammer price
95 000 SEK
Estimate
40 000 - 50 000 SEK
235
Otto Schulz
A Swedish Modern easy chair, Boet, Gothenburg 1940s.
Hammer price
40 000 SEK
Estimate
25 000 - 30 000 SEK
236
Otto Schulz
A pair of Swedish Modern elm veneered cabinets, Boet, Gothenburg 1940s-50s.
Hammer price
36 000 SEK
Estimate
40 000 - 60 000 SEK
237
Otto Schulz
A Swedish Modern elm veneered drop front chest of drawers, Boet, 1940s.
Hammer price
17 000 SEK
Estimate
20 000 - 25 000 SEK
238
Otto Schulz
A pair of easy chairs, Boet, Gothenburg 1940s.
Hammer price
26 000 SEK
Estimate
30 000 - 40 000 SEK
239
Otto Schulz
An easy chair, Boet, Gothenburg, 1940s.
Hammer price
42 000 SEK
Estimate
25 000 - 30 000 SEK
240
Otto Schulz
A bar cabinet, 'Göta kanal', Boet, Gothenburg, 1940s.
Hammer price
Unsold
Estimate
15 000 - 20 000 SEK
Condition report & requests Contact category specialist
Stockholm
Eva Seeman
Chief Specialist Modern and Contemporary Decorative art and design
+46 (0)708 92 19 69
Stockholm
Jonatan Jahn
Head Specialist Contemporary and Modern Design
+46 (0)703 92 88 60
Stockholm
Camilla Behrer
Head of Design/ Specialist Modern & Contemporary Decorative Art & Design
+46 (0)708 92 19 77