Throughout his career as an interior and furniture designer, publisher and founder of the Swedish furniture company Boet, Otto Schultz was a key figure in promoting mid-century modern Scandinavian design.
Born in Germany in 1882, Schultz moved to Sweden in 1907, where he became interested in designing furniture and interiors. In 1920, Schultz founded his furniture company Boet in Gothenburg, where he created functional and traditional designs featuring quintessential elements of Scandinavian furnishings. Around the same time, Schultz started the design and living magazine Boet, which published articles and profiles highlighting Sweden’s most influential architects and designers. He served as Boet’s publisher and editor until 1938.
During the 1930s, Schultz created a range of opulent Scandinavian modern and neoclassical furniture, including cabinets, secretaires and side tables, using fine woods like elm, birch, mahogany and walnut. Many of his pieces showcased his patented use of decorative nails called Bopoint.
He was best known for the Schultz lounge chair, which he designed in 1936. Its voluptuous design featured a generous seat and a large, curved backrest and it was upholstered with a luxurious blend of alpaca and wool. The Schultz chair was highly popular in Sweden in the 1940s. While Boet originally produced it, Swedish furniture manufacturer Jio Möbler took over its production in 1941.
Schultz operated Boet until his retirement in 1950. He died in 1970. Today, Schultz’s pieces are favorites among interior designers and collectors seeking a mix of modern Scandinavian simplicity and lavish decorative style.
On 1stDibs, discover vintage Otto Schultz seating, storage cabinets and case pieces, tables and more.
Swedish Modern Bureau by Otto Schulz for Boet, 1940s
By Boet, Otto Schulz
Located in Karlstad, SE
Very rare bureau by Otto Schulz for Boet, circa 1940. This bureau is covered in cream white vinyl attached with pearl nails, significant for the designer. The skewed front is made o...
Wood
Otto Schulz for Boet Rare Cabinet with Brass Nails
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Otto Schulz for Boet, cabinet, chestnut, oak, faux leather, brass, Sweden, 1930s Otto Schulz (1882–1970), founder of the Gothenburg-based interior design company Boet, occupies a s...
Brass
$8,065
H 64.97 in W 50.4 in D 18.71 in
Swedish Modern Stained Pine Cabinet by Otto Dahlin for Åby Möbelfabrik, 1940s
By Åby Möbler
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish modern cabinet by Åby Möbelfabrik around the 1940s. Sport cabin furniture (Sportstugemöbel) by Otto Dahlin and made by Åby Möbelfabrik, in the style of Axel Einar Hjort furni...
Pine
Otto Schulz Cabinet Produced by Boet in Sweden
By Otto Schulz
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare cabinet designed by Otto Schulz. Produced by Boet in Sweden.
Brass
$13,404
H 66.93 in W 51.19 in D 19.3 in
Swedish Grace Birchwood Cabinet by Otto Schulz for BOET, Gothenburg, 1930s
By Otto Schulz, Boet
Located in Odense, DK
A refined and exceptionally well-preserved example of Swedish Grace design, this cabinet by Otto Schulz for BOET embodies the sophisticated restraint and craftsmanship that defined S...
Birch
$6,800
H 67.13 in W 44.1 in D 17.33 in
Otto Schulz, Swedish Modern Cabinet in Leather, Oak & Brass Nails, 1930s
By Boet, Otto Schulz
Located in Odense, DK
An exclusive cabinet attributed to the famous German born furniture designer Otto Schulz for Boet in Göteborg, Sweden. The front is covered in leather with brass nails, drawers and ...
Brass
Swedish Modern, Chest of Drawers, Elm, Brass, Sweden, 1940s
By Bodafors
Located in Stamford, CT
Swedish Mid-Century Modern, Dresser or Chest of Drawers, Elm, Brass, Sweden, 1940s A single dresser designed and produced in Sweden in the first half of the 20th century, drawing st...
Brass
$17,407
H 26.97 in W 34.65 in D 15.56 in
Chest of drawers by Göran Malmvall for Karl Andersson & Söner, Sweden, 1940s
By Goran Malmvall
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
A rare Scandinavian design piece from the 1940s/50s, created by renowned designer Göran Malmvall for Karl Andersson & Söner in Huskvarna, Sweden. Model 620 is an unusual and highly s...
Pine
Scandinavian Modern sideboard by Otto Schulz, Sweden, 1930s
By Boet, Otto Schulz
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant functionalist sideboard by Otto Schulz, with bold lines and contrasting birch and darker colored wood. Large round drawer handles with decorative ...
Birch
$975
H 73 in W 41 in D 17.25 in
Edwardian Bureau Secretary 4 Drawers Chest with Original Mirror, circa 1920s
Located in Germantown, MD
C. 1920s American Oak 4 drawers bureau secretary Chest of drawers with original mirror. Mirror shows some spots of aging marks in glass. Very nice carvings in front drawer doors an...
Maple, Oak
Rare Otto Schulz for Boet Sideboard in Birch
By Otto Schulz
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Otto Schulz for Boet, sideboard, stained birch, Sweden, 1930s Otto Schulz (1882–1970), founder of the Gothenburg-based interior design company Boet, occupies a special position in ...
Birch
Grosfeld House Chest or Secretary, 1940s
By Grosfeld House
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An elegant chest of drawers with pull-out desk drawer by Grosfeld House.
Brass
$27,500
H 80.5 in W 36 in D 18.5 in
18th–19th Century Swedish Gustavian Two-Part Pinewood Bureau in Grey
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 18th-19th century, light-grey, white antique Swedish Gustavian two part bureau made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian secretaire is composed wit...
Metal, Bronze
Early 20th Century Art Deco Otto Schulz Boet Secretary
By Boet, Otto Schulz
Located in Kramfors, SE
Otto Schulz Art Deco secretary for Boet, Gothenburg. The secretary is a modern classic from the 1930s and plays well into the classical elements of the Art Deco era. The sharp geomet...
Birch