Imbuia Dining Suite in the Country Modern Tradition
Designed by E. E. Meyer for Binnehuis, South Africa, c. 1960s–70s
A beautifully made South African dining suite in solid imbuia by E. E. Meyer for Binnehuis, reflecting a warm and inviting country modern aesthetic. The set balances traditional influences with the cleaner lines of mid-century design.
The chairs — four side chairs and two carvers — are particularly notable, their spindle-back construction referencing the long-established Windsor tradition, reinterpreted here with softened lines and a distinctly local sensibility, made from solid imbuia with bent oak hoop backs. The gently tapered legs and well-balanced stance lend the suite a quiet elegance.
The table is raised on a sculptural cross-frame (X-leg) base, the curved trestle supports joined by a central stretcher with exposed through-tenon and peg detailing — a quietly architectural foundation that elevates the broad rectangular top, and a clear display of the maker's joinery. The legs show beautifully figured, flame-like grain that comes alive in the light. The top beneath is clean and characterful, with the warm, lively grain that imbuia is known for. It seats six comfortably as configured.
A protective glass top is included with the suite. It has been removed for photography so the imbuia grain can be seen in full, but conveys with the table should the buyer wish to use it.
This suite represents a quieter, more grounded interpretation of mid-century design — one that favours warmth, familiarity, and material richness over strict minimalism. It lends itself particularly well to interiors that embrace a layered or country modern aesthetic, where authenticity and comfort take precedence.
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.
Imbuia Dining Suite by E. E. Meyer for Binnehuis, South Africa, c. 1960s–1970s
Designer / Manufacturer: E. E. Meyer for Binnehuis
Country: South Africa
Period: c. 1960s–70s
Materials: Solid imbuia and bent oak
Dimensions —
Table: W 182 cm · D 90 cm · H 74,5 cm
Chairs: H (back) 91 cm · W 40 cm · D 50 cm · seat height 45 cmCondition: Presented in very good vintage condition, professionally restored and refinished in our workshop. The wood has been cleaned and gently refinished, displaying a warm, even tone with minor wear consistent with age and use. The included glass top shows light surface wear consistent with age. The chairs are structurally sound.
As with all vintage pieces, subtle signs of age remain and contribute to their character.
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.
