1960s Duros Sideboard — South African Mid-Century Design Influenced by Rastad & Relling
1960s Duros Sideboard
Mid-century Teak sideboard by Duros, based on the sought after Model ‘Tom’ designed by Rastad & Relling for Bahus, Norway 1960’s
A beautifully resolved example of South African mid-century craftsmanship, this 1960s sideboard by Duros reflects the clean Scandinavian sensibilities that shaped much of the country’s furniture design during the period. Its sculpted door fronts — subtly faceted and framed with gently raised moulding — recall the elegant geometric language seen in Tom by Rastad & Relling for Bahus, while retaining local character.
Set on tapering, well-poised legs, the sideboard presents a long, uninterrupted silhouette that feels both refined and quietly architectural. The four doors open to generous storage, offering a practical interior without compromising the visual rhythm of the exterior.
Featuring four bypass doors with beveled edge, a bay of four drawers on left with two flatware dividers, a central cabinet, and a separate cabinet on the right with an adjustable glass shelf.
Executed in warm teak with Duros’s characteristic attention to proportion, the piece balances craftsmanship with modern clarity — a hallmark of one of South Africa’s most accomplished mid-century makers.
A strong statement in any contemporary setting, this sideboard brings together sculptural form, practical scale, and an unmistakable 1960s design ethos.
Dimensions:
H 82cm
W 220cm
D 45cm
Condition:
This sideboard is in very good vintage condition, it has been gently restored and refinished with high-quality products.
As with all authentic mid-century pieces, gentle signs of age remain and are considered part of their character.
Photographed in natural light in our studio.
Duros, established in 1904 represented Danish modern style in South Africa. The name Duros was a composite of the Latvian emigrant family name OSpovat and "DURablity".
The Duros furniture company opened its doors in Chapel Street, Woodstock in 1903, moved to Roeland Street in the 1930’s and remained there until it’s demise in the 1980’s. It had an impressive range of furniture
Duros founder Hyman Ospovat gave the company a slogan taken from John Keats: “A thing of beauty is a joy for ever”. Looking at how timeless his furniture pieces are, it’s rather accurate.
Read more on Duros Furniture here
As with many quality Mid-Century pieces, this design thoughtfully pairs solid wood construction with a premium wood veneer—an approach widely used at the time to highlight beautiful grain patterns while ensuring lasting stability.
We try to capture the condition of our items in our photographs as best as possible. Prior to dispatch all items are carefully cleaned and re-coated with danish oil to ensure your item is looking its best when delivered.
Prices do not include delivery.
Contact us to arrange to view, discuss collection or if you have any queries.
We deliver locally within Cape Town for a small fee and can accommodate collection by courier or in person. Collections must be made within two weeks of purchase as we cannot hold furniture for extended periods.
Working with vintage pieces means celebrating the character and history each item holds. While we maintain high standards, our pieces are not new — gentle wear and age-related patina are part of their story.
Although we carefully clean and lightly restored each item to honour its original state, most of our furniture dates from the pre-1980s era, and subtle signs of age may still be visible. We make every effort to highlight any notable details or concerns.
We provide detailed photographs, including overall views and close-ups of notable details, which form part of the condition report. We encourage you to review these images carefully, and if you have any questions or would like further clarity, we’re always happy to assist, viewings are welcome by appointment.
VINTAGE CONDITIONS:
excellent - Like new, exhibiting minimal to no indications of wear, with scarcely any visible signs of age or use.
very good - Light use marks and signs of age, such as minor scratches and minimal wear on areas like feet or inconspicuous spots on veneer or leather.
good - Displays light to moderate scratches, with some more noticeable blemishes. May have small damages and stains, and the possibility of ring marks. Leather may exhibit small rips.
fair - Exhibits more pronounced scratches, including lighter ones in many prominent areas (e.g., the top of a sideboard). Leather may show tears and stress marksUnfortunately we currently only deliver in Cape Town area, but you are welcome to arrange courier on your side, we can also arrange on your behalf.
Shipment outside of Cape Town is NOT calculated at check-out and is quoted based on the item's dimensions and or weight.
Unfortunately we can not reserve any items until shipping has been finalized (the item should be purchased and checked out, with payment confirmation received if paid via EFT).
After purchase, we can assist you with costs from our preferred supplier.
Please note that all items shipped outside of Cape Town are wrapped extensively, we charge a small packaging fee depending on the item, starting cost of R250 per individual item. The cost of wrapping depends on the size of the item. For ALL our items, especially fragile items, i.e. glass and mirrors we recommend professional crating.
For fragile items or items that have glass elements we don't recommend shipment and transport outside of Cape Town.
For peace of mind, we recommend arranging cover for your shipment with your own insurance provider during transit.
Please refer to our Shipping Policy
Restoration Process:
In our studio workshop, every item undergoes an inspection and careful restoration process. We prioritize maintaining the original charm and patina of the piece, while also making it a beautiful addition to modern interiors.
Our Approach Includes:
- Examining and reinforcing the joints
- Cleaning the wood and removing any stains
- Conducting veneer repairs as necessary
- Polishing or refinishing surfaces to enhance their appearance
