Kartell Drawer Unit Ivory Black 1970s

• item. chest of drawers
• designer. simon fussell
• manufacturer. kartell
• model. 4602
• period. 1970s
• country. italy
• style. italian modernist
• materials. abs plastic
• color. ivory, black
• dimensions. 42 x 44 x 64 H.
• condition. very good vintage condition. superficial scratches and sparse discoloration consistent with age and use. deeper marks and discoloration on the top surface. some of the internal housings into which the pegs are inserted are not perfectly intact (this is not visible and does not affect the stability or functionality of the chest of drawers).
• reference. 2026

DESIGN CONTEXT

This Kartell drawer unit designed by Simon Fussell, mode 4602, reflects the evolution of Italian modular furniture during the 1970s, when plastic became a structural and architectural material rather than simply a functional one.

Produced by Kartell in glossy ABS plastic, the piece combines compact proportions with a strong geometric identity. The alternating ivory and black bands create a precise visual rhythm that transforms a simple storage unit into an object with sculptural presence. Like many Italian modular systems from the same period, the design was conceived to adapt easily to changing domestic interiors, offering practical storage while maintaining a highly graphic appearance.

The recessed wheels reinforce the floating effect of the volume and contribute to the light, flexible character typical of Italian plastic furniture from the decade. Its proportions work particularly well beside a desk, near a sofa or as a bedside storage element within modernist or Space Age interiors.

This Kartell drawer unit belongs to a broader Simon Fussell modular series produced in multiple color variations during the 1970s. The collection currently also includes a taller green and black five drawer version, creating a complementary dialogue between neutral architectural tones and more saturated radical color compositions.