MB Italy White Modular Étagère, 1970s

• item. modular étagère / storage organizer
• manufacturer. MB Italy
• period. 1970s
• country. Italy
• style. mid-century modern, 1970s Italian design
• materials. plastic, metal
• color. white, gold-tone metal
• dimensions (cm). 16 W × 16 D × 60 H
• maximum width when open (cm). 42
• functionality. fully functional; some compartments require slightly more effort to close
• condition. excellent vintage condition with superficial scratches, light oxidation on metal parts and minor signs of age
• reference. 2121

DESIGN CONTEXT

This MB Italy modular etagere from the 1970s is a distinctive example of Italian design, combining practical storage with a playful, sculptural composition. Its vertical arrangement of six cylindrical white plastic compartments creates a rhythmic silhouette, complemented by a curved gold-tone metal handle.

Each compartment can be opened and repositioned to create different configurations, transforming the object from a compact vertical column into an expressive arrangement of offset circular forms. The contrast between the white plastic and metallic details gives the piece a refined, graphic appearance while emphasizing its modular construction.

Designed to accommodate small everyday objects, the étagère can serve as a decorative storage organizer, a compact bedside accessory or a display piece. Its narrow footprint makes it particularly suitable for smaller interiors, while the adjustable compartments offer flexibility without compromising its sculptural identity.

The design reflects the experimentation with plastic materials and adaptable domestic objects that characterized Italian interiors during the 1970s. Rather than treating storage as a purely functional necessity, this MB Italy piece turns an ordinary organizational structure into an engaging decorative object.