Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA)

In the 1950s, the iconic American audio equipment firm JBL produced a very limited run of custom audio cabinets, using Herman Miller rosewood cases, legs and hardware from George Nelson’s Thin-Edge line. The resulting cabinets were highly refined, and finished in the fine-grain exotic wood on all sides with a central built-in speaker. The partnership highlighted the melding of cutting-edge audio technology with sleek, modern designs to accommodate the growing popularity of home music systems. Similarly, influential Modernist architect Craig Ellwood collaborated with Los Angeles-based Sound Corporation to engineer custom a hi-fi system utilizing JBL components for his Case Study House #17. Ellwood, who was friendly with JBL president William H. Thomas after their work together on the Case Study House, had unique access to these rare cabinets and acquired a suite to use in his own home, later customizing them by removing the audio components and adding drawers and glass doors.