1960s Czechoslovak Side Table by Jitona
1960s Czechoslovak Side Table by Jitona
A distinctive late-1960s side table produced by Jitona in Czechoslovakia, combining a long, dark veneered top with four slender aluminium legs.
The contrast between warm wood and cool metal gives the table its character. The top is remarkably restrained, while the aluminium legs and their exposed supporting elements introduce an almost technical quality to the construction.
The design also bears a striking resemblance to contemporary Czechoslovak tables associated with designers Mojmír Požár and Jaroslav Šmídek, examples of which can be seen in period interiors and publications.
Design & History
Czechoslovak furniture of the 1960s increasingly combined traditional cabinetmaking with materials and construction methods that belonged unmistakably to the post-war world.
Wood and veneer remained important, but designers began introducing metal, plastics and visibly engineered structural elements into domestic furniture.
This table, produced by Jitona, is a particularly good example of that transition.
Its long veneered top is deliberately simple. Almost all of the visual interest is concentrated underneath, where four aluminium legs are attached directly to the tabletop and reinforced by small angled supports.
The resulting construction feels lighter and more technical than conventional wooden furniture of the period.
Particularly interesting is the table's close visual relationship to contemporary designs associated with Mojmír Požár and Jaroslav Šmídek.
A related side table can be seen in period Czechoslovak interiors and in Domov magazine, combining a similarly restrained wooden top with slender metal supports. The historical images reproduced with this listing show that related design in its original context.
The similarities are fascinating, but we have not found documentary evidence identifying the present table as a design by Požár or Šmídek. We therefore prefer to retain Jitona as the documented manufacturer while leaving the individual designer open.
Design Details
The table is built around a long rectangular wooden top finished in dark veneer.
At 120 cm long and only 50 cm deep, it has a pronounced horizontal character, making it particularly suitable beside a sofa or against a wall.
The four aluminium legs provide a striking contrast to the darker wooden surface above.
Each leg tapers towards the floor and can be individually unscrewed from the tabletop. Small angled metal supports reinforce the connection between the legs and top, adding stability while becoming an important visual feature in their own right.
Rather than concealing how the table is assembled, the construction is allowed to become part of the design.
Black plastic feet protect the floor and provide another small material contrast at the base of each leg.
The result is an unusual combination - warm veneer, cool aluminium and exposed engineering brought together in a remarkably restrained piece of furniture.
Why We Like It
For us, the most interesting thing about this table is what happens underneath it.
The top could hardly be simpler - a long, dark horizontal surface with very little decoration.
Then you notice the legs.
The aluminium, the small angled supports and the visible method of construction give the table an unexpectedly technical character. It feels almost as though two different design traditions have been brought together - cabinetmaking above and engineering below.
We also find its relationship to the Požár and Šmídek table particularly intriguing.
Seeing such a closely related idea in period Czechoslovak interiors places this table within a much broader design conversation, even if its individual designer remains unknown.
It is exactly this kind of connection that makes researching seemingly simple pieces of Czechoslovak furniture so rewarding.
Condition & Restoration
The table has undergone a careful professional restoration.
The old lacquer was removed, all components were cleaned and the wooden surfaces were refinished using techniques and materials sympathetic to the original construction.
The aluminium legs were carefully cleaned and polished while preserving their original character.
There is some minimal wear to the tabletop and legs consistent with the age and previous use of the piece.
All four detachable legs function correctly and the table remains stable and ready for everyday use.
Please refer to the photographs for a detailed record of its condition.
Details
Designer: Unknown
Manufacturer: Jitona
Period: Late 1960s
Origin: Czechoslovakia
Materials: Wood, Veneer, Aluminium, Plastic
Condition: Professionally restored
Quantity: 1
Dimensions
Width: 120 cm
Depth: 50 cm
Height: 55 cm
Delivery & Returns
The table will be carefully packed and shipped from our studio in Brno, Czech Republic.
EU shipping: €60, 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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