Design & History

Produced during an important period of transition in post-war Czechoslovak furniture design, this table combines the craftsmanship associated with UP Závody with the increasingly light and informal forms of the 1950s.

The design is deceptively simple. A rectangular top with softly rounded corners rests above four long, tapered legs, giving the table a remarkably slender profile. Beneath the top, however, a pair of shaped side rails project beyond the leg structure and introduce a subtle horizontal line to an otherwise restrained design.

The ash is an equally important part of its character. Its pale, expressive grain brings warmth and movement to the broad tabletop while allowing the construction itself to remain visually uncomplicated.

The original factory label survives beneath the table and is dated 7 July 1954, providing an unusually precise record of its production. The designer is unknown. The table has previously been attributed to František Jirák on stylistic grounds, but we have not found documentary evidence confirming this attribution, so prefer to present it simply as a documented UP Závody design.

UP was one of the major names in Czechoslovak furniture production, with its roots in the Spojené uměleckoprůmyslové závody established in Brno in 1920. By the late 1930s, the company had become one of Europe's largest furniture manufacturers, and its post-war production played an important role in bringing modern furniture into Czechoslovak homes.

Details

Date: 1954
Origin: Czechoslovakia
Manufacturer: UP Závody
Designer: Uknkown
Material: Ash
Quantity: One table

Condition & Restoration

The table has been carefully restored in our Brno workshop.

The wooden surfaces have been cleaned and refinished while preserving the warm colour and distinctive grain of the original timber. The restoration was completed with a shellac finish, chosen to retain the character of the original surface.

The table is structurally sound and ready for everyday use. It retains only light traces of age and previous use, consistent with an original piece from 1954. Please refer to the photographs for a detailed record of its condition.

Dimensions

Width: 80 cm
Depth: 66 cm
Height: 52 cm

Why We Like It

What we like most about this table is how much thought is hidden within an apparently simple piece of furniture.

From a distance, it is almost archetypal - four legs and a rectangular top. Look more closely, however, and the details begin to reveal themselves: the slightly projecting top, softly rounded corners, extremely slender legs and, most importantly, the shaped wooden rails running beneath it.

Those small decisions prevent the table from ever feeling ordinary.

We also love the survival of the original factory label. Knowing that this particular table can be traced back to a specific day in 1954 transforms it from an anonymous piece of vintage furniture into a small surviving document of Czechoslovak design history.

Delivery & Returns

The table will be carefully packed and shipped from our studio in Brno, Czech Republic.

EU shipping: €120, confirmed at checkout

We also ship worldwide using trusted international couriers. Please contact us for a tailored shipping quote outside the EU.

EU customers have a 14-day right of withdrawal. Please see our Terms & Conditions for full details.

If you would like to check anything before ordering - from condition and dimensions to delivery - Martin and Amy are always happy to help before and after your purchase.