Sometime before 1900, a Finnish furniture company, based at a place west of Helsinki called Bilnäs (Beakness), bought the rights to the design to make the range in Finland. It was copied exactly. In the 30's a lot of the Finnish range was available in birch. And new designs were added for contract furnishing. Post-WWII a lot of it was taken out of offices and burnt in the yard, fired by a general desire to get away from 'Dour'. Marimekko was a successful post-war company because it brought colour to the home.
Anyway I used to have a house full of Bilnäs, but when you're on the move more it gets to be a drag needing 4 guys every time to move your roll top. I've still get some cupboards and chairs, but I finally sold the old roll top before this last move.
And in the synchronicity dept: the maestro of distressing, who builds all the Bonk machines and artefacts, is currently making exact reproductions of your barrister's bookcase. They sell very well. You can't be me, I'm taken
See them all over the place in the Midwest. The stacks were interchangeable with clear, leaded, leaded-beveled sections. You'll find them in all sorts of different configurations.
