1960s Jiri Jiroutek U-450 Oak Veneer Sideboard

Jiří Jiroutek U-450 oak veneer sideboard with sliding doors and white recessed handles, isolated on white
Elevated three-quarter view of the 1960s Jiroutek sideboard showing its oak top and angled legs
Front view from above showing the U-450 sideboard’s two veneered doors and white handles
Straight-on view of the oak veneer sideboard with closed doors and lighter splayed legs
Jiroutek sideboard with the sliding doors moved inward to reveal storage compartments at both ends
Detail of the right sliding door showing oak grain, a white recessed handle and angled leg
Close-up of a sliding door beside the open wooden interior and shelf
Left storage compartment of the U-450 sideboard showing the interior shelf and sliding door
High angled view of the oak sideboard showing its rectangular top and closed front
Opposite three-quarter view showing the sideboard’s veneered side panel, top and white handles
Rear three-quarter view of the Jiroutek cabinet showing its finished wooden back panel
Detail of the sideboard’s veneered rear panel and angled wooden leg
Full front view of the 1960s Interiér Praha sideboard showing its oak doors and raised base
Close-up of the sideboard’s top corner, wooden frame and white recessed door handle
Elevated front view of the U-450 cabinet showing the oak tabletop and sliding doors
Detail of the adjoining sliding doors showing their vertical oak grain and lower wooden border
Angled view of the open left compartment showing the wooden shelf and interior
Front view with the right compartment open, showing the shelf behind the sliding doors
Elevated rear view showing the sideboard’s veneered back, top and side panel
Front view of the oak Jiroutek sideboard with both doors closed and original white handles
Historical colour image of a dining interior with wooden storage furniture, open shelving and a dining set
Jiří Jiroutek U-450 oak veneer sideboard with sliding doors and white recessed handles, isolated on white
Elevated three-quarter view of the 1960s Jiroutek sideboard showing its oak top and angled legs
Front view from above showing the U-450 sideboard’s two veneered doors and white handles
Straight-on view of the oak veneer sideboard with closed doors and lighter splayed legs
Jiroutek sideboard with the sliding doors moved inward to reveal storage compartments at both ends
Detail of the right sliding door showing oak grain, a white recessed handle and angled leg
Close-up of a sliding door beside the open wooden interior and shelf
Left storage compartment of the U-450 sideboard showing the interior shelf and sliding door
High angled view of the oak sideboard showing its rectangular top and closed front
Opposite three-quarter view showing the sideboard’s veneered side panel, top and white handles
Rear three-quarter view of the Jiroutek cabinet showing its finished wooden back panel
Detail of the sideboard’s veneered rear panel and angled wooden leg
Full front view of the 1960s Interiér Praha sideboard showing its oak doors and raised base
Close-up of the sideboard’s top corner, wooden frame and white recessed door handle
Elevated front view of the U-450 cabinet showing the oak tabletop and sliding doors
Detail of the adjoining sliding doors showing their vertical oak grain and lower wooden border
Angled view of the open left compartment showing the wooden shelf and interior
Front view with the right compartment open, showing the shelf behind the sliding doors
Elevated rear view showing the sideboard’s veneered back, top and side panel
Front view of the oak Jiroutek sideboard with both doors closed and original white handles
Historical colour image of a dining interior with wooden storage furniture, open shelving and a dining set

1960s Jiri Jiroutek U-450 Oak Veneer Sideboard

€570.00

An original 1960s U-450 sideboard designed by Jiří Jiroutek for Interiér Praha, Czechoslovakia. Finished in oak veneer, this version brings a quieter character to his familiar furniture programme, with two sliding doors, original white recessed handles and an adjustable interior shelf. Its veneered rear panel allows the cabinet to be appreciated from behind as well as from the front.

BUY THIS PIECE

About the Piece

The first impression is of a broad, dark wooden surface lifted on slender, angled legs. It is a simple arrangement, but one in which the proportions do much of the work. The rectangular body feels substantial, while the open space beneath gives it lightness. The legs introduce a gentle outward movement that prevents the cabinet from appearing too rigid.

Across the front, the oak grain provides variation within the otherwise restrained design. Its long lines and changes in tone give the doors depth, particularly when light falls across them. The narrow surrounding frame defines the edges without competing with the wood, keeping the composition clear and well balanced.

The original white recessed handles are an especially pleasing detail. Set close to the outer edges of the doors, they appear as two small, bright accents against the dark veneer. Their rounded shape softens the geometry of the front, and their recessed construction leaves the surface uncluttered. They are modest components, yet they make a considerable difference to the cabinet’s expression.

The doors slide across one another to reveal the interior. This is a useful arrangement where space is limited, as there is no hinged door projecting into the room. It also changes the appearance of the cabinet as it is used: an open compartment introduces a lighter wooden surface and a glimpse of the objects inside, while the closed doors restore the broad, continuous front.

An adjustable shelf provides flexibility for storing books, tableware or everyday household items. At 110 cm wide, the cabinet offers useful storage without requiring the space of a long sideboard. The top is generous enough for a lamp and a few favourite objects, while its clear outline makes it easy to place in a living room, dining area or hallway.

One of the most attractive features is the veneered rear panel. The finish continues around the cabinet, allowing it to stand away from a wall or serve as a low divider within a room. This gives you more freedom in arranging an interior and makes the piece rewarding to view from different directions.

Design & History

Jiří Jiroutek’s U-450 furniture programme for Interiér Praha belongs to the distinctive world of post-war Czechoslovak domestic design. Its combination of practical storage, compact proportions and raised, angled legs gave everyday furniture a lighter and more approachable appearance.

The series is closely associated with the Czech Brussels Style. In this oak-veneered version, that character is expressed through proportion, small contrasting details and the relationship between the cabinet and its legs. The natural wood takes the leading role, giving the design a more subdued presence than versions with brightly coloured fronts.

This example shows how much of Jiroutek’s design remains recognisable when the colour palette is reduced. The white handles and angled legs provide enough contrast to animate the form, while the oak gives the cabinet warmth and texture.

The historical interior image at the end of the gallery provides context for the furniture programme and is separate from the photographs of the sideboard offered here.

Why We Like It

We like the restraint of this version. The dark oak front has a strong presence, but the small white handles give it a touch of lightness and personality. The lighter legs are equally important, lifting the body and introducing a subtle contrast at floor level.

The finished rear is another reason to appreciate it. It opens up possibilities beyond the usual position against a wall, allowing the cabinet to become part of the room’s arrangement rather than simply its perimeter. It is a thoughtful, useful piece, with details that become more apparent the longer you live with it.

Details

Designer: Jiří Jiroutek
Manufacturer: Interiér Praha
Model: U-450
Period: 1960s
Origin: Czechoslovakia
Style: Czech Mid-Century Modern / Brussels Style
Materials: Oak veneer, wood
Doors: Two sliding doors
Handles: Original white recessed plastic handles
Interior: Adjustable shelf
Rear: Veneered panel

Condition & Restoration

In very good vintage condition, with minor signs of age and use. The oak veneer retains a rich, warm patina, and the original white handles and sliding door mechanism remain fully functional.

The cabinet has been professionally cleaned and restored.

Please refer to the photographs for details of the veneer, interior, handles, legs and condition.

Dimensions

Width: 110 cm
Depth: 45 cm
Height: 76 cm

Delivery & Returns

The cabinet will be carefully packed and shipped from our studio in Brno, Czech Republic.

EU shipping: €180, confirmed at checkout.
Estimated EU delivery: 3–5 working days

We also ship worldwide using trusted international couriers. Please contact us for a tailored shipping quote outside the EU.

EU customers have a 14-day right of withdrawal. Please see our Terms & Conditions for full details.

If you’d like to check anything before ordering - from condition and dimensions to delivery - Martin and Amy are always happy to help throughout the process, and also after your piece has arrived.