Krobo Bench in Oak by Torbjørn Afdal for Bruksbo, Norway, 1960s

About This Piece

Vintage Design

Lovely Krobo bench of oak by Torbjørn Afdal for Bruksbo A/S Norway, the 1960s. A multifunctional bench to be used as both a TV/stereo bench, sitting bench, book bench, flower bench, Living room table, or whatever you prefer. Measures: L 1.5 m, H 34 cm, D 37 cm. Torbjørn Afdal was one of the leading designers at Bruksbo Tegnekontorer and in Scandinavia. Torbjørn Afdal's furniture was purchased by Jacqueline Kennedy as a first lady in the White House and by the Japanese Emperor. In Torbjørn Afdal's later years he designed the Parliamentary and chairs and tables to the courthouse in Oslo. At the exhibition Norwegian Icons Oslo 2013, Torbjørn Afdal was represented with a great number of his furniture.

Creator	Torbjørn Afdal
Manufacturer	Bruksbo
Design Period	1960 to 1969
Production Period	1960 to 1969
Country of Manufacture	Norway
Identifying Marks	This piece has an attribution mark
Style	Vintage, Mid-Century, Scandinavian Modern
Detailed Condition	Very Good — This vintage item has no defects, but it may show slight traces of use.
Restoration and Damage Details	Patina consistent with age and use, Small chip on one corner
Product Code	HEU-775863
Additional Information	Made to Order
Materials	Oak
Color	Brown
Width	150 cm 59.1 inch
Depth	34 cm 13.4 inch
Height	37 cm 14.6 inch
Seat Height	14.6 inch
Duties Notice	Import duty is not included in the prices you see online. You may have to pay import duties upon receipt of your order.

Shipping & Delivery

Manufacturing Time	3-4 weeks
Ships from	Sweden
Duties Notice	Import duty is not included in the prices you see online. You may have to pay import duties upon receipt of your order.
Returns	Returns accepted within 14 days of delivery, except for Made-to-order items

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.