Late 1940s Dressing Table Attributed to Jindřich Halabala for UP Brno
Late 1940s Dressing Table Attributed to Jindřich Halabala for UP Brno
A rare late 1940s dressing table attributed to Jindřich Halabala and produced by UP Závody in Brno, one of the most important furniture manufacturers in twentieth-century Czechoslovakia.
With its beautifully figured light wood, softly rounded forms, black glass top and elegant proportions, the piece captures a fascinating moment in Czech design: the transition from the refined Modernism of the interwar period towards the lighter forms of post-war Mid-Century design.
Design & History
The dressing table is attributed to Jindřich Halabala, the influential Czech designer and longtime artistic director of UP Závody in Brno. While we have not found surviving documentation that conclusively identifies Halabala as the designer of this particular model, its attribution reflects its close connection with UP's design language and production during this period.
The piece is believed to belong to a group of furniture developed by UP Závody during the immediate post-war years, when the company was looking increasingly towards international markets, including Britain and the United States.
UP presented its furniture in New York in 1947, at a particularly interesting moment in Czechoslovak design history. The company's international ambitions were soon affected by the political transformation of Czechoslovakia after 1948 and the subsequent reorganisation of its furniture industry.
This dressing table appears to come from this fascinating and relatively short-lived chapter in the history of UP Brno. Its combination of softly rounded cabinetry, contrasting black glass and restrained decorative detailing shows the gradual move away from the heavier forms of the 1930s towards the lighter visual language that would characterise post-war European design.
Design Details
The dressing table is dominated by a generously sized rectangular mirror, creating an elegant architectural composition while making the piece highly practical for everyday use.
The cabinet below combines beautifully figured wood with a contrasting black glass top. Softly rounded corners and curved cabinet doors give the otherwise geometric design a more sculptural character.
Particularly attractive are the subtle recessed handles, which are integrated into the cabinet fronts rather than applied as separate decorative elements. This allows the natural grain of the wood and the clean lines of the furniture to remain the focus.
The combination of warm wood, black glass and mirror is characteristic of the sophisticated material contrasts found in high-quality Czechoslovak furniture of the period.
Despite being more than seventy years old, the dressing table has a remarkably contemporary presence and works equally well in a historic interior or alongside modern furniture.
Condition & Restoration
The dressing table has been professionally restored in our Brno workshop.
The wooden surfaces were carefully restored while preserving the original character, detailing and beautiful figuring of the veneer. The finish was renewed using traditional restoration techniques to bring back the depth and warmth of the wood.
The cabinet is stable and fully functional, with its doors and storage compartments ready for everyday use.
The piece remains in excellent vintage condition, with minor signs of age and previous use consistent with its history. Please refer to the photographs for a detailed record of its condition.
Details
Designer: Attributed to Jindřich Halabala
Manufacturer: UP Závody, Brno
Period: Late 1940s / early 1950s
Origin: Czechoslovakia
Materials: Beech, birch, black opaxite glass, mirror
Condition: Professionally restored
Quantity: 1
Dimensions
Width: 91 cm Depth: 45 cm Overall height: 174 cm Cabinet height: 40 cm
Why We Like It
We love the contrast between the beautifully figured wood, black glass and large mirror. The gently rounded cabinet doors soften the otherwise clean, architectural design and give the piece a particularly elegant presence.
It is also a fascinating example of the transition between pre-war Czechoslovak Modernism and the lighter post-war aesthetic. More than seventy years after it was made, it still feels remarkably contemporary - and, above all, it is a beautiful and practical piece of furniture that can easily become the focal point of a room.
Delivery & Returns
The dressing table will be carefully packed and shipped from our studio in Brno, Czech Republic.
EU shipping: €180, confirmed at checkout.
Estimated EU delivery: 3–5 working days
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’d like to check anything before ordering - from condition and dimensions to delivery - Martin and Amy are always happy to help throughout the process, and also after your piece has arrived.
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