Hanbjerg Møbelfabrik Teak Tall Chest of Drawers

A teak tallboy produced by Hanbjerg Møbelfabrik — a Danish workshop with a story worth knowing. Founded in 1956 by master carpenter Egon Jensen, the company built its reputation on furniture made with the care and precision of a small, skilled operation. This piece is a clear expression of that.

Six drawers rise in a clean, upright form, each fitted with a subtly sculpted, slim-lipped integrated teak pull that runs flush with the facade. The detail is restrained and considered — functional without being decorative, which is exactly the point. The tapered legs lift the piece with a lightness that belies its generous storage capacity.

The grain on this example is particularly fine — deep, warm and lively across both the front and sides, with a richness that photographs well but is even better in person. 

Compact in footprint, generous in storage. Works equally well in a bedroom, a hallway, or anywhere a room needs a quiet focal point.

A well-balanced example of Danish cabinetmaking from the period, where utility and form are resolved with quiet precision.

 

Maker: Hanbjerg Møbelfabrik
Designer: Attributed to in-house design, Egon Jensen workshop
Country: Denmark
Date: 1950s–1960s

Dimensions:
W 62.5 cm
D 35 cm
H 96 cm

Condition Report
Presented in very good vintage condition. The piece has been gently restored and refinished, with the teak displaying a rich, even tone throughout. The drawers run smoothly. Minor signs of age and use remain, consistent with careful preservation, and do not detract from the overall presentation.

 

About Hanbjerg Møbelfabrik & Egon Jensen

Hanbjerg Møbelfabrik has its roots in 1956, when master carpenter Egon Jensen began producing furniture in his mother's chicken house in Handbjerg, Denmark. It is exactly the kind of origin story that explains why the furniture is good: a craftsman who started with nothing but skill and conviction, building piece by piece.

For many years, Jensen and his team of cabinetmakers produced home furniture — shelves, storage units, chests of drawers and beds — with teak veneer bookcases eventually becoming the company's signature product, with the United States as their primary export market. That American export success was no accident: Danish furniture entering the US market in the 1960s faced informed, quality-conscious buyers, and only workshops producing consistently well-made pieces found a foothold.

Alongside the furniture, Egon Jensen built sailboats — because sailing was his great passion. It is a small detail, but it says something about the man: someone who worked with his hands not merely as a trade but as a way of living.

Jensen ran the workshop until his death in 1989, when his son Tommy Jensen took over and expanded the company considerably — though by then the character of the work had long been established. The teak pieces from the workshop's first decades remain the most collectible, valued for their honest construction and the quiet confidence of a maker who had nothing to prove.

 

Photographed in natural light in our studio.

 

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. 

Delivery is outsourced and priced as accurately as possible based on current courier rates, distance, and fuel costs. Final quotes may vary slightly depending on item size and location.

 

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 marks

Unfortunately 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

Our site uses a Secure 3D payment gateway provided by Peach Payments.
We accept all major credit cards and most debit cards. We also have an Instant EFT option, Mobicred and Payflex - Buy Now Pay Later payment solution.

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