Set of Six Afromosia Dining Chairs by Greaves & Thomas, England, c. 1960s
British Mid-Century Dining Chairs — Danish Sensibility, London Craft
A well-matched set of six dining chairs by Greaves & Thomas — one of London's most capable mid-century furniture makers, producing work during the 1950s and 60s that held its own convincingly against the Scandinavian imports of the period.
The design is clean and considered. Each chair features a gently raked slatted back — four vertical staves set within a sculpted frame that follows the natural curve of the spine — sitting above a generous upholstered seat. The angled back rail, slightly swept at its top edge, introduces a quiet elegance that prevents the form from feeling austere. The tapered legs and solid afromosia construction give the chairs a satisfying weight and presence without heaviness.
Afromosia — an African hardwood prized for its density, stability, and rich interlocked grain — was a favoured material among British mid-century makers for precisely these qualities. Here it presents beautifully: warm, deeply figured, and polished to a confident finish in our workshop.
A complete set of six, ready for a considered dining interior.
A complementing dining table is available separately here
Maker Profile — Greaves & Thomas, London
Greaves & Thomas was founded in 1911, with production based at the Amherst Works in Clapton, London. The firm built its early reputation on upholstered furniture and sofa beds before expanding, by mid-century, into a broader range of contemporary cabinet and dining furniture.
During the 1950s and 1960s, Greaves & Thomas employed highly skilled furniture designers, the most notable being Walter Cornell — known for creating pieces with clean lines and a strong Danish modern influence. The brand's mid-century output is increasingly recognised for the quality of its construction and its quiet design authority — well-made British furniture that absorbed the best of Scandinavian thinking without simply copying it.
In 1967, Greaves & Thomas were acquired by Schreiber, who sought to add a high-end arm to their product line — a telling endorsement of the brand's standing in the market. Pieces from the pre-acquisition period remain the most collectible.
Read more about Greaves & Thomas here
All Vintage Club pieces are carefully considered for authenticity, provenance, and condition before acquisition. Restoration is undertaken in-house to the highest standard.
Set of six Mid-Century Dining Chairs by Greaves & Thomas
Maker: Greaves & Thomas
Country: England
Date: c. 1960s
Set: 6 side chairs
Dimensions: 83cm H x 46cm W x 45cm D | Floor to seat: 46cm H
Condition: Frames restored and refinished. Seats reupholstered in Hertex fabric, Martindale 50,000+, washable.
As with all vintage pieces, light signs of age and use are to be expected.
Photographed in natural light in our studio.
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.
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.
