Kallenbach’s Polo chair and footstool, Designed By John Tabraham

Original, rare John Tabraham for Kallenbach’s solid Kiaat Polo chair and footstool, with original cushions and down-feather inners. Designed by John Tabraham, one of South Africa's most esteemed furniture designers, for Kallenbach's, a company established in the early 1900s by the renowned architect Herman Kallenbach, who was also a close friend of Mahatma Gandhi.

The style is very reminiscent to that of Tobia Scarpa's ‘Bastiano’ range.

 

Dimensions: w87 x d91.5 x h87 | seat height 38 (cm)

Footstool: w68 x d51 h27.5 | with cushion 38 cm

Condition:

In very good original vintage condition. The wooden frames have undergone gentle refurbishment and refinishing where needed, while the covers have been thoroughly cleaned and conditioned. Please note that the original down filling can be refilled or adjusted by the buyer according to their preference.

 

The matching three-seater sofa, and pair of lounge chairs are available separately here and here.

 

John Tabraham

Throughout the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, John Tabraham emerged as the preferred designer for several of South Africa's leading furniture manufacturers, marking a period where he was at the forefront of modern design in South Africa.

In the 1950s, Tabraham collaborated closely with the upscale furniture manufacturer D.S Vorster, designing contemporary pieces celebrated for their clean lines and simple, elegant forms.

Moving into the 1960s and 70s, Tabraham became especially renowned for his partnership with the furniture company Kallenbach’s. His designs during this time are distinguished by their organic warmth and inspiration from the popular Danish modern style, targeting the higher end of the market and being retailed through select, prestigious outlets like Prosperitas in Pretoria.

His work received international recognition in the annually published "Decorative Art, The Studio Yearbook," which was later compiled by Taschen into "Decorative Art 1950s." This reference featured four of Tabraham's designs for D.S Vorster & Co, positioning them among the world's finest in design.

 

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 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 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.