Greaves & Thomas Kiaat Dining Table and Six Chairs, England, c. 1970s
A British Mid-Century Dining Set — Warm Kiaat, Considered Craft
A well-matched and cohesive dining set by Greaves & Thomas — one of London's most accomplished mid-century furniture makers — comprising a generous rectangular dining table and six matching chairs, all in warm kiaat wood.
The design language across table and chairs is carefully unified. The table apron carries three elongated oval cutouts that run along its length — a detail that lightens the form considerably and prevents the otherwise substantial piece from feeling heavy. The six chairs echo this precisely: each backrest features two matching oval cutouts within a gently curved rail, flanked by tapering sculpted uprights. The result is a set that reads as a single, considered composition rather than a convenient pairing.
Kiaat — a southern African hardwood with a rich, open grain and warm amber tone — gives the set a character distinctly its own. The grain is the ornament: bold, flowing, and beautifully showcased in the wide tabletop.
All six chairs have been newly upholstered in a warm off-white Hertex fabric with a Martindale rub count of over 50,000, washable and well suited to everyday use. Frames and table carefully refurbished and refinished throughout.
A complete, cohesive set in very good restored condition.
Maker Profile — Greaves & Thomas, London
Greaves & Thomas was founded in the early 1900s and built its early reputation on the celebrated 'Put-U-Up' sofa bed before expanding, by mid-century, into a broader range of contemporary dining and cabinet furniture. During the 1950s and 1960s the firm employed skilled designers — most notably Walter Cornell — who brought clean lines and a strong Danish modern influence to the brand's output. In 1967, Greaves & Thomas was acquired by Schreiber — a telling endorsement of the brand's standing in the British furniture market. Pieces from the pre- and immediately post-acquisition period remain the most collectible.
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.'
All Vintage Club pieces are carefully considered for authenticity, provenance, and condition before acquisition. Restoration is undertaken in-house to the highest standard.
Vintage Greaves & Thomas Kiaat Dining Table with Six Chairs (UK, c. 1970s)
Maker: Greaves & Thomas
Country: England
Date: c. 1970s
Set: 1 table, 6 chairs
Dimensions:
Table: W 182.5 cm | D 91 cm | H 74 cm
Chairs: Back H 75 cm | Seat H 46 cm | Seat 46 cm × 40 cm
Condition: Carefully restored and refinished in our workshop. Through our respectful restoration process, we prioritise preserving the distinct character and heritage of each piece, while ensuring it presents beautifully within a modern setting. One chair has a repaired break to the seat back junction and a repaired break to a backrest detail — both professionally attended to and structurally sound. Chairs newly upholstered in Hertex fabric, Martindale 50,000+, washable.
As with all authentic mid-century pieces, gentle signs of age remain and are considered part of their character.
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.
){kind=link}