EE Meyer for Binnehuis — Modular Imbuia Wall Unit, South Africa, c. 1960s–70s
A substantial three-section highly functional modular wall unit in richly toned imbuia, designed and made by EE Meyer for Binnehuis during the 1960s-70’s.
At the heart of the unit is a fitted bureau: a drop-front that opens to a writing surface with pigeonholes and compartments, turning one bay into a compact home office. Alongside it, a second drop-front reveals a drinks cabinet with a wipe-clean laminate-lined interior, practical for pouring and spills. Three further cabinets with small turned-knob hardware each serve a different purpose — one shelved, one for open storage, and one fitted with vertical dividers for vinyl records — while open display shelving runs throughout. The result is a piece of real versatility, equally at home as a living-room storage wall, a home office, or a display and entertaining system.
Pieces of this scale and completeness from EE Meyer rarely reach the market.
Its modular architecture lends a strong, adaptable presence to a room. This is a piece that defines a space.
Large-scale wall units such as this were central to mid-century interiors, reflecting a shift toward integrated living and multi-functional spaces.
Please note: the chairs shown in the photographs are for staging purposes only and are not included in the sale.
EE Meyer for Binnehuis
A true treasure that encapsulates the essence of South Africa's most sought-after mid-century furniture manufacturer. With a legacy rooted in timeless craftsmanship and iconic design, EE Meyer creations have become highly sought after. Owning an EE Meyer piece means not only acquiring a beautiful work of art but also preserving a valuable piece of South African design history.
EE Meyer was directed by Gerhardt Meyer from 1966, Meyer was the South African master of understated midcentury elegance, and his designs became synonymous with a distinctly South African interpretation of modernist furniture: sober, clean, and generous in their use of solid imbuia.
Imbuia — sometimes called African walnut — is a hardwood native to the forests of southern Brazil and historically used extensively in South African cabinetmaking. Deeply figured, warm in tone, and extraordinarily durable, it is the material that defines the EE Meyer aesthetic.
The Binnehuis furniture stores were located in Cape Town, Stellenbosch Somerset-West, Newlands, Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg and were owned by a Dutch businessman and his wife, Mr and Mrs van Ewijck, who moved between South Africa and the Netherlands. It seems they were most prolific during the 1960s.
EE Meyer for Binnehuis pieces are among the most collectible examples of South African mid-century design.
Imbuia is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Vintage pieces from before 1992 are legally permitted for sale.
Modular Imbuia Wall Unit by E. E. Meyer for Binnehuis, South Africa, c.1960s/70s
Designer / Maker: EE Meyer (Gerhardt Meyer), for Binnehuis
Country: South Africa
Period: circa 1960s–1970s
Materials: Solid imbuia, with imbuia-veneered board side panels
Dimensions: W 285 · D 40.5 · H 216 cm (each bay approx. 95 cm wide)Condition Report:
Presented in very good restored condition. The unit has been carefully cleaned and gently refinished, retaining its original warm imbuia character and natural variation, with minor wear consistent with age and use.
As part of the restoration, one lower support point of a side panel was structurally reinforced and fitted with a new adjustable foot, replacing the failed original foot fixing to provide stable, long-term support. The affected lower corners were repaired, with veneer restoration and refinishing carried out to blend with the surrounding surfaces. The unit is structurally sound and stable throughout, with all elements functioning as intended.
As with all vintage pieces, subtle signs of age remain and contribute to its character. The unit is ready for use.
Like many well-made mid-century pieces, this one combines solid wood with a quality veneer — a considered choice of the era, used to showcase the finest grain while ensuring the piece moves and settles as the timber intends.
Photographed in natural light in our studio.
We photograph every piece honestly — what you see is what you'll receive. Before dispatch, each item is cleaned and finished with Osmo Polyx®-Oil so it arrives looking its best.
