Description

This sideboard sold immediately for $2000 in 2016.

Background Info and Provenance

(This description was written in 2016.)

A mid-century sideboard designed and constructed by the English furniture maker, Beautility. I’d say this piece is mid-1960’s. These days I rarely stock teak sideboards from the 1960’s because they can’t be called an investment- the majority including Parker and Chiswell are made out of “Weetbix” chipboard. (Many on ebay will proudly tell you their sideboard is solid teak but this is rarely, if ever, the case.) This piece by Beautility (with the Beautility makers plaque on the inside of one cupboard door) is SOLID TIMBER (it might be Beech) with a teak veneer finish. I’m pretty certain the sides are solid teak. This gives this sideboard a lot more investment appeal as it’s harder to damage when knocked. With virtually every Australian sideboard of this era (including Parker and Chiswell pieces) when the back and bottom edges are knocked it just crumbles away and can’t really be repaired because these edges are not supported- the chipboard just keeps on flaking.
Even if the quality of this piece wasn’t as good I still probably would have stocked it. The design stands out from the crowd and this very rarely happens with mid-century sideboards. The base is stunning. Teak sideboards from this era are refined and elegant (and this piece is too) but others don’t boast the interior design appeal this one has. This sideboard has 3 focal points- the base, the round door handles and the convex shape (the cabinet front is not flat but curves outwards which is hard to show in photos). Three focal points would normally make a piece cluttered and “busy” but these aspects all complement each other and create a “flow” that’s rarely seen in a sideboard. This piece has investment appeal because of its amazing design AND its quality.
Beautility Furniture Ltd was established in 1884 in London, England. The company etched a name for itself by combining exceptional quality with unique design flair and today their work is highly sought-after the world over.
This piece is about 50-55 years old. It’s in excellent condition after all these years because of the construction quality. Why spend money on items that won’t last? There is also an identical sideboard for sale on-line at the time of writing in America (internet store- metroretro furniture- priced at US $2900, equating to AU $3880). Not only is this a rare opportunity to own an exceptional piece of mid-century design but a great investment opportunity too. There’s no better way to invest in your home and reduce landfill.