1965 Teak Gordon Russell Coffee Table.
A vintage teak coffee table designed by Gordon Russell, 1965
An elegant minimalistic design, with a rectangular top and a striking geometric arrangement of the stretchers, this teak finished coffee table was designed in 1965 and made by Gordon Russell Ltd. UK.
With makers mark ‘Gordon Russell Limited’ to the underside. English design and manufacture.
In very good original vintage condition, it has been meticulously cleaned and refinished to preserve the natural colour.
Dimensions: 122cm L, 48cm W, 41cm H.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Sir Gordon Russell was born in 1892 and at age 16 began working at a small joinery alongside other skilled craftsmen helping to repair antique furniture for his father. Russell never had a formal education in design and learnt by observing the Arts and Crafts tradition of the Cotswolds. After the first world war he and his father setup Russell and Sons where they began to design and manufacture furniture, over the years the company was responsible for designing and manufacturing thousands of pieces of furniture with a focus on quality craftsmanship. The business however faced many trying times including the economic depression of the 1930s and the Second World War but the company evolved and adapted creating a wider range of products to suit the needs of the time, from radio sets to utility furniture for people that had lost their home and possessions during the war.
Gordon Russell was awarded a Knighthood for his services to Design and Industry in 1955.
Sir Gordon Russell shaped the history of 20th-century British design, bridging the gap from the arts and crafts movement to a modern, minimalist aesthetic. Passionate about high standards of craftsmanship, he also accepted machinery as a means of reaching out to a wider market without compromising quality.
This combination of functionality with design made Sir Gordon Russell a pioneer in creating furniture to suit modern life. After WWII his furniture company successfully adapted and modernised to produce utilitarian items available to the masses, as well as bespoke pieces for special commissions.
The Gordon Russell furniture company received a number of commissions from high profile individuals, such as a ‘Snowshill’ chest of drawers commissioned by Prime Minister David Lloyd
George to be made from a holly tree that had fallen in his garden. The piece includes a distinctive central drawer, which was designed to contain a top hat. Another prominent commission for the company came from Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. The company created an occasional table displaying a map of the D-Day landings, which was presented to President Eisenhower during a state visit to the USA in 1957.In addition, the company participated in large-scale projects to bring its modern designs to the public. In 1960 the Gordon Russell furniture company collaborated with Basil Spence, the architect of the new Coventry Cathedral to create chairs suitable for the space. Required to be durable, to simulate pews, to stack and to link together, the design was revolutionary and hugely successful, with many of the original chairs still in use today. The design for these chairs was later used at Winchester, Wells, Southwark and Hereford Cathedrals and has recently gone back into production.
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Like many Mid-Century pieces, it harmoniously combines sturdy solid wood with a top-grade wood veneer.
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.
Restoration Process:
In our studio workshop, every item undergoes a meticulous 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
Prices do not include delivery.
Cape Town delivery is calculated at check-out.
For delivery outside Cape Town please contact us. Delivery to these areas is quoted based on the item's dimensions. We can unfortunately not reserve any items until transport has been finalized.
We can arrange shipping in Cape Town and arrange or recommend courier for the rest of the country.
For larger items, we work with an external service that can handle your delivery. Delivery is made by appointment and we make every effort to give you a 2-hour time window on the date of delivery.
Please note that most shippers deliver alone so you may be expected to help on one end in bringing your piece inside. Please be aware that additional charges may apply in cases of access challenges, such as stairs, etc.
Contact us to arrange to view, discuss collection or if you have any queries.
We deliver locally within Cape Town for a fee and can accommodate collection by courier or in person. Collections must be made within 7 days of purchase as we cannot hold furniture for extended periods.
For local Cape Town deliveries: We provide a complimentary layer of bubble wrap in our packaging. However, for a more thorough and secure wrapping approach to guarantee the safe arrival of your item, we suggest opting for our comprehensive packaging solution. This solution encompasses multiple layers of bubble wrap, cardboard and foam as needed, and pallet wrap. There is an additional charge of R150-350, depending on the size of the item, to cover the cost of this enhanced service and materials. To arrange for this option, kindly get in touch with us via email: vintageclubhq@gmail.com
Please refer to our Shipping Policy
As to be expected with vintage items, this item may have minor amounts of wear. All of our items are available to view prior to purchase.
Although all effort is made to lightly refurbish and clean our furniture to best represent their original state, it must be noted that the majority of the items we source date from before 1980’s. For this reason signs of their vintage condition & age might still be visible. We try to point out any visible concerns.
Please note that all items are described to the best of our ability, we strongly encourage our clients to closely inspect item photos, descriptions, and details before purchasing anything. Please review all images as they are considered part of the item description. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.
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 R150 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.
Please refer to our Shipping Policy
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We accept all major credit cards and most debit cards. We also have an Instant EFT option, Mobicred, Payflex and FinChoicePay - Buy Now Pay Later payment solution.
