Mid-Century Modern Greaves & Thomas (UK) Kiaat dining-room suite with 8 chairs
Vintage 1960's Greaves & Thomas Extendable Dining Suite
A beautifully made mid-century dining set by renowned British furniture maker Greaves & Thomas, featuring an extendable kiaat dining table and a set of eight matching chairs.
The table comfortably seats six and extends to accommodate eight. Its cleverly designed butterfly extension mechanism operates with a brass pin beneath the tabletop, allowing the leaf to fold neatly underneath when not in use. The sculpted apron detail beneath the tabletop and backrest of the chairs are a signature of Greaves & Thomas, enhancing the refined silhouette. The warm tones and striking grain of the kiaat wood are showcased beautifully in this elegant piece of British mid-century design.
The eight accompanying chairs reflect the company’s dedication to craftsmanship and timeless design. Their sleek, tapered lines and gently curved backrests are hallmarks of the Mid-Century Modern aesthetic, emphasising both form and function.
Whether hosting a formal gathering or enjoying everyday meals, this exceptional dining set brings a sense of refinement to any space.
Condition:
In very good vintage condition. We have carefully restored and refinished this set to preserve the heritage.
The original black leather-cloth upholstery remains in good condition, retaining an aged patina.
As with all authentic mid-century pieces, gentle signs of age remain and are considered part of their character.
Dimensions:
Table:
Extended: 230cm x 91cm | Height – 77cm
Not Extended: 183cm x 91cm | Height –77cm
Chairs:
Height of back: 75cm
Height of seat: 46cm
Size of seat: 46cm x 40cm
Greaves & Thomas, or G&T, was a London-based firm that dates back to the early 1900s. Greaves & Thomas, like many other British firms, employed professional designers to produce contemporary furniture by the mid-1950s and 1960s, all of which had clean lines and a Danish influence. 'Iconic Vintage Furniture – Spotlight on Greaves & Thomas Greaves & Thomas furniture, which dates back to the early 1900s, was a high quality and very much ‘high-end’ furniture brand which is extremely sought after today. While the brand was well known for its sofa bed production and designs in the 1920s through to the mid-century period, the brand also produced a stunning array of sideboards, tables and mirrors, all characterised by simple, straight lines and elegant frames. Very much a forward thinking furniture brand, vintage Greaves & Thomas pieces can slot perfectly into the 21st century home.
Brief History and Timeline of Greaves & Thomas
1967 – Popular mid-century Furniture maker Schreiber (now owned by Sainsbury’s) acquired Greaves & Thomas. This acquisition of Greaves & Thomas added substantial weight and credibility to the Schreiber brand and its product line.
1950s to 1960s – The focus during this time period for Greaves & Thomas was on the recruitment of quality designers. These designers would lead on the execution of the brand’s signature styles, with arguably the most well-known designer being Walter Cornell – who created very streamlined styles most of which were characterised with clean lines and a Danish influence.
1920s to 1960s – The pull out sofa bed was Greaves & Thomas biggest selling furniture piece during this time period, and was dubbed the ‘Put-u-up‘. Though specialising in Sofa Beds the brand also produced contemporary chairs and dining furniture.
1900s – The Greaves & Thomas brand was established and was set to become one of the UKs most celebrated furniture makers.
It's no surprise that quality vintage Greaves & Thomas furniture is in high demand today.'
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.
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 marksUnfortunately 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
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
