If it is indeed a pantry shelf, maybe a garbage can went in that caddy area?

Verralux was a European manufacturer. The style remind me of the 1920s and early 30s modern furniture that was common in Israel, in the homes of pre-war German refugees. Quite Bauhaus.
I would guess that it was for umbrellas, outdoor shoes, slippers and gloves. (People often removed their shoes in homes.)
How unusual to find such a piece in the US!

I was thinking umbrellas but I love the garbage can theory.

The side on the right is for umbrellas, note the metal drip tray. The drawer for keys & wallets and such and the cabinet is for shoes. Nice piece!

The more I think about it, the more I agree with mniche, it looks like a kitchen cupboard with a spot for a trash can. But that's a guess. (A quick Google search suggests that Verralux was a German furniture company in the 1940's-1950's, or at least most of the posts were in German.) Maybe you can find old furniture catalogs to give you a clue!

Now, however, if it were mine, I think I'd put a nice large vase or basket in there with a tall plant or maybe some interesting branches...

I have no idea but what a great find!

maybe it held large ice block since there was to electricity to keep the cabinet side cool?

If you were an architect it would be great to store blueprints or plans and use the cabinet for office stuff.

Nice for a mud room for boots and umbrellas.

Nani and comicgeek are right, it's an entrance cabinet... the ancestor of the infamous "landing strip", probably 30s.

Before looking at the comments I also thought umbrellas. That is such a cool piece!

It looks like a small shoe cabinet combined with an umbrella stand. We have some of these here in Germany from the early 50th. I miss the flat metall dish in the umbrella stand for collecting dripping water.

I looked on a German mid-century furniture website and found something similar. Looks like it may be for an umbrella after all.
http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.teenagewasteland.de/einrichtung/k_flur_garderobe_50er.html&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dverralux%26hl%3Den&rurl=translate.google.com&usg=ALkJrhg6ONfFHdN-epI2-i99wTKcw7Gn2Q

you're supposed to put a scale where you've got your books.

I also think it'd work well in a pantry to hold cleaning products in the bottom part, sponges and rags in the drawer, and brooms, mops, swiffers, etc. can all be corralled on the right!

it'll be a great piece after it gets some love...perhaps a coat of black lacquer and some rust-remover for the bars?

http://mylittleapartment.blogspot.com/

Black lacquer? Really? yug.

Whatever it is, its beautiful. great find.

Beautiful piece!

The caddy is definitely for umbrellas.
From the same company from 1950s:
http://www.teenagewasteland.de/img/einrichtung/k_50sgarde_mint_gr.jpg

So the drawer is probably for wallet and things an the cabinet for shoes.

Umbrella/hall stand.

Yes, definitely an entry piece with an umbrella holder. It probably had a mirror attached to the cabinet.

I was thinking this was an unusual example of "waterfall" style furniture, which would be pretty commonplace. But several things make me think it may be a more unique find:

---I think "most" waterfall pieces exhibit curved edge(s) from front to back, rather than on the sides.

---Waterfall pieces were relatively cheaply constructed, yet this looks more solid and weighty. Is it?

---And, I've never seen a waterfall piece with chrome tubing.

So... maybe this is something more unique after all! A European modernist piece? Either way... nice find!

Here is a rather quirky (but interesting) article about waterfall furniture and its European inspirations. http://www.jitterbuzz.com/indfur.html#what

Also... you might want to stain this. Waterfall styles (and their predecessors) often employed wood veneers laid to form patterns in grain and color. A high end piece might be especially interesting. Or if it is of more modernist origin, it may be much less overtly decorative. I think the wood will tell you a lot about this piece. I'd love to see an "after" photo, so please share!

Looks like a cabinet/umbrella stand combo.....

Obviously it's an umbrella stand. What rocks have you people been living under?

I don't really have anything to say. I just wanted to mention that I loved ladymantle's comment - if I were a 1930s German parent, that's totally what I'd use it for. Except that I'd eat the marzipan myself.

I also want to encourage ladymantle in her efforts to season her usual nastiness with humour. It works! You go girl!

Where is there a HousingWorks anywhere near Boston? Cool find! Congrats!

It is horrid.

awaiting deletion...

ladymantle and blandwagon, I differ. I think such "humor" isn't funny. (shrugs) Difference makes the world go round. Do as you please; still, some will find it gruesome and question your taste.

hahahahaha, i also vote child-minding...if not its previous purpose, a potential future one.

ladymantle - made me laugh after 20 responses of folks who obviously didn't read the comments above them, "Think it's an umbrella stand."

Looking at it, I think it would make a great craft stand (regardless of what it was used for before). I can picture rolls of wrapping paper in the right side and all other items, tape, ribbon, etc. stored in the left. What a neat piece!

Thanks, everyone, for your input. This is my umbrella stand. Although, I hope it's happy being a bookshelf for now because I don't use big umbrellas, just little folding ones.

To answer your questions, while it seems solidly constructed compared to modern day furniture, it doesn't seem like it would have been too luxurious at the time. The wood grain is nothing special. Thanks for all the info on waterfall furniture, arroyo, and about the company, whitepeacock.
I have more detailed pictures if anyone is curious:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenpeppergirl/

Umbrella stand makes complete sense. I was thrown off by the original description as a "pantry shelf" when I bought it. By the way, I bought it at Housing Works in New York City, and I sent this to the NY AT. Not sure how I ended up in Boston!

In terms of before and after shots, I have no plans for fixing it up for now. I like the rustic look. Eventually I will probably stain it rather than paint it. The original staining was stripped a long time ago and the wood has gotten dirty since then. Any tips on how to clean raw wood???

I believe it was used to store a English-style long-handled crumb/dust pan and brush set. This company also made furniture for greenhouses.
Lynn

P. S. I suggest you don't do anything with this piece, especially stain or paint it. It's much more valuable as it is.
Lynn

keep it origional, don't mess with it. The piece has made it this long without getting destroyed, just have it refinished! and keep it simple and beautiful!

It's for cigarettes, tampons and wet wipes.

Oh wait, wrong post.

Nani, you need to give attribution when the words are not your own.

Anyway, it's a swell item and I wouldn't mind having one myself!

The piece has great lines. I agree with the editor...the open area was probably for umbrellas. It would be perfect for an entry way in a home or apartment.

@ladymantle--My thoughts exactly. A small child would fit perfectly there!

That thing is sooo awesomely retro, I saw one once..