A handsome Mid-Century chest of drawers made by Kallenbach and designed by John Tabraham, South Africa, dating to the 1960s. Crafted in richly figured Kiaat, the cabinet showcases the warm tonal variation and expressive grain that have made this indigenous hardwood a favourite in South African furniture design.
The drawer configuration is both practical and distinctive, comprising two smaller drawers at the top right-hand, and one deeper drawer on the left side, followed by three full-width drawers below, offering generous storage for clothing, linens or household essentials. The chest retains its original leather pull handles with brass fasteners (one newly handmade leather handle to match the original), while the Kallenbach branding remains intact inside the top drawer, a reassuring mark of authenticity.
Raised on its original leg frame, the cabinet has a light, elegant profile that reflects the clean, modernist styling of the period.
The top has been refinished in black and fitted with a new glass protector, providing both visual contrast and everyday protection without detracting from the warmth of the timber. To echo the top, we repeated the shadowline of the leg base in black too.
Founded in Johannesburg, Kallenbach became one of South Africa's most respected furniture manufacturers during the mid-twentieth century, producing well-crafted modern furniture that combined quality materials with clean Scandinavian-influenced design. Today, original Kallenbach pieces are increasingly sought after for their excellent craftsmanship, timeless styling and enduring functionality.
Condition:
Professionally restored and resealed, the chest presents in excellent restored condition. The original leather pulls have been retained, with one expertly recreated and weathered to match the originals. A fitted glass top protects the newly refinished black top, and all of the original locks are fully functional and can be locked with the original key. The Kallenbach branding remains intact inside the top drawer.
Dimensions:
84.5cm W x 44.5cm D x 82cm H
Shipping Information:
If you are purchasing an item and you are based in Cape Town, Durban, or any area outside Gauteng, please select the 'LOCAL PICK-UP' option at check-out and do not choose a shipment option.
Please be aware that we cannot reserve any items until transportation or shipping arrangements have been finalized. Therefore, it is important to purchase the item and proceed with the checkout process.
After your purchase is complete, you are welcome to arrange your own method of transport. If you require our assistance, we can help you obtain a shipping quote based on the dimensions & volumetric weight of the item(s) you have bought.
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Note/Disclaimer:
Our images form part of the item description. While we make every effort to restore our furniture to its original state, most pieces date from the 1950s to the late 1970s. As a result, and despite restoration, signs of their vintage nature and previous life may still be visible. Light traces of restoration may remain visible, consistent with authentic vintage furniture. In some cases, minor adjustments may also have been made during the restoration process to ensure the piece remains functional and usable. We will point out any notable aspects where possible. We encourage in-store viewing or careful review of photographs before purchase.
Transport & Handling Note:
All items are carefully wrapped and prepared for transport by us (not the courier) to ensure safe handling. Once items leave our premises, we cannot take responsibility for their treatment by third-party transporters. We strongly recommend arranging goods-in-transit insurance for comprehensive protection.
Due to the fragility of glass, we do not recommend shipping glass items outside of Gauteng.
For the full shipping policy, please refer to our Shipping Policy for more information: https://retrend.co.za/policies/shipping-policy