1960s Tables

Oromo coffee table by Egg Designs Dimensions: 125 L X 120 D X 49 H cm Materials: walnut timber, solid cast brass, brass, shou sugi ban solid oak cant. Founded by South Africans ...

A masterpiece of both cabinetmaking and mechanical engineering, this one-of-a-kind expanding table was crafted by the renowned cabinetmaker Samuel Hawkins of London for the Great Exhibition of 1851. Diminutive in size, the fascinating table was designed as a model to demonstrate Hawkins’ innovative patent screw movement to visitors of the Exhibition – six million people in total over five months. It was exhibited again a century later at the Victoria & Albert Museum during the Festival of Britain, an event intended “to symbolise two main qualities of the national character: realism and strength on the one hand, and, on the other, independence and imagination” (Catalogue of the Exhibition, 1951, p.117). To this day, the miniature masterpiece demonstrates the quest of English furniture makers to combine technical innovation with superb craftsmanship. Displaying exceptional ingenuity, Hawkins’ wind-out screw mechanism allowed one to extend the table’s base to accommodate concentric leaves with the simple crank of a handle. It is based on the inventive expanding table originally designed by Robert Jupe in 1835, which used a swivel mechanism to separate sections of the tabletop and allow for segmented leaves to be inserted. Hawkins’ tabletop, on the other hand, extends outwards directly from the center in order to accommodate additional leaves around its diameter. This unique design allowed the mechanism to also smoothly operate on rectangular tables, which could be wound out from the middle to allow for more table space. Hawkins was not alone in his endeavor to combine the technical merits of engineering and mechanics with the most artful pursuit of cabinetmaking. The first half of the 19th century saw a prolific increase in the popularity of applying new ideas to traditional furniture principles, which allowed furniture to serve many purposes. The resulting “patent” furniture was practical and refined, though few were as innovative as Hawkins’ prodigious design. Carved with the year of the Exhibition on the beautifully designed pedestal base, the table is a testament to the significance of this innovation. The model is mentioned in detail in the catalog of the Great Exhibition of 1851, the first international exhibition of industry, manufacturing, and science. Held at London’s dazzling Crystal Palace, its visitors were treated to exhibits from around the globe, including feats of engineering, innovations in industry, and marvels of design. Queen Victoria herself was a frequent visitor, along with her husband, Prince Albert, and others including Charlotte...

Caruso St John’s architecture is known for fine detailing and intelligent use of materials, and table shares those hallmarks, with layers of engineered timber creating a design that ...

Boogie Nights Side Table by Egg Designs Dimensions: 51 L X 51 D X 56 H cm Materials: Antique Copper Coated, Solid Copper, Verdigris, Handmade Ceramic ...

Yoruba 2 side table by Egg Designs Dimensions: 38 L X 33 D X 57 H cm Materials: Composite Casting, Solid Brass, Bronze Coated Steel Founded by Sout...

Boogie Nights coffee table by Egg Designs Dimensions: 185 L X 106 D X 35 H cm Materials: Antique Copper Coated, Solid Copper, Verdigris, Handmade Ceram...

Drop side table by Egg Designs Dimensions: 60 L X 60 D X 58 H cm Materials: Antique copper plated steel, stained oak top Founded by South Af...

Fluted coffee table by Egg Designs Dimensions: 140 L X 70 D X 32 H cm Materials: African Mahogany, Travetine Founded by South Africans and lif...

Jewel side table by Egg Designs Dimensions: 40 L X 40 D X 66 H cm Materials: solid oak cant, copper plated steel, glass. Founded by South Africa...

Gazelle drinks trolley by Egg Designs Dimensions: 55 L X 74 W X 100 H cm Materials: Solid Walnut, Copper, Composite Casting Founded by South Africans and life partners, Greg and...

Blessing Side Table by Egg Designs Dimensions: 60 L X 60 D X 65 H cm Materials: Chiseled Alien Wood, Bronze Coated Steel Founded by South Africans and life partners, Greg and R...

Yoruba 3 side table by Egg Designs Dimensions: 52 L X 33 D X 43.5 H cm Materials: Composite Casting, Solid Brass, Bronze Coated Steel Founded by South Africans and life partner...