Vintage Lebus Four Drawer Chest of Drawers Original Label Mid Century Modern British Design with Original Swan Neck Handles

A beautifully proportioned Lebus four drawer chest dating from the late 1950s to early 1960s, retaining its original Lebus manufacturer’s label inside the top drawer. Pieces that still carry their original labels are increasingly sought after, providing reassuring provenance and confirming the authenticity of this classic British design.

Produced during the golden age of British furniture manufacturing, Lebus became renowned for combining quality craftsmanship with the clean, Scandinavian-inspired styling that defines the Mid-Century Modern era. Raised on its original elegant tapered turned legs, the chest displays beautifully figured veneers, softly rounded corners and balanced proportions that give it a timeless, understated presence.

Built with a solid wood carcass and traditionally dovetail-jointed drawers, it is a reassuringly well-made piece designed to stand the test of time. The four generously sized drawers are clean throughout, slide smoothly and align well, providing practical storage for clothing, linens or everyday household essentials.

The chest retains its original sculptural swan-neck handles. Over the decades they had become heavily tarnished, so they have been carefully refinished in a satin black metal finish, preserving the original hardware while complementing the warm timber beautifully. The original tapered legs have also been refreshed in satin black, creating a subtle contemporary contrast while remaining sympathetic to the character of the piece.

Our workshop has carefully cleaned and sympathetically refreshed the cabinet, preserving its original patina rather than over-restoring it. The figured veneers remain particularly attractive across the drawer fronts, where the natural grain creates a pleasing, balanced appearance.

Condition of this piece is very good vintage throughout. The top displays only light signs of age and use, including a few minor surface marks and a small pale ring mark, all clearly shown in the photographs for complete transparency. These are entirely in keeping with a piece that has served faithfully for over sixty years and do little to detract from its overall presentation.

Authentic labelled Lebus furniture continues to enjoy a loyal following among collectors and admirers of British Mid-Century design. Combining solid construction, original provenance and timeless styling, this is a versatile investment piece that will sit comfortably in both contemporary and period interiors, offering decades more practical use.

Approximate Measurements

Height 89.5 cm
Width 79 cm
Depth 42 cm


A bit about Lebus :-
Louis Lebus was a famous Jewish cabinetmaker known for his beautiful cabinets and chests. Lebus emmigrated to the East End of London in the 1840s from his home in Breslau, Germany. It was here that grew a cabinet making business that would go on to achieve great success in later years. Although Louis died in 1879, his eldest son, Harris, took the reins of the business and within a short space of time, the brand known as Harris Lebus was an established manufacturer of cabinetry. Although the business closed its doors in 1969, Harris Lebus is remembered specifically for the manufacture of bedroom furniture and dining cabinets. During its heyday, it became known for the design and build of streamlined and modern designs to satisfy the public demand for sleek, minimalist, pieces.

CONDITION

Please bear in mind that all our vintage and retro items have had a life before you purchase them (sometimes quite a long one!) therefore they will show signs of wear and use, these may include knocks, dents and scratches, bumps and scuffs which are commensurate with age and previous use. We never sell items that we wouldn’t be happy to have in our own homes and provide images detailing any significant damage or unusual wear. Please carefully read the details and examine the images prior to purchase. All our items have been thoroughly cleaned and de-greased, re-oiled and polished (where necessary) and are fit for purpose. If you’re unsure, or would like some more information, please contact us, we’re always happy to help.


OUR DELIVERY POLICY

THERE ARE EXCLUSIONS TO OUR FREE DELIVERY POLICY - PLEASE SEE BELOW.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU PURCHASE FROM AN OFF-SITE ADVERT FOR ETSY, FREE DELIVERY WILL NOT APPLY (AS WE ARE CHARGED CONSIDERABLY MORE).

FREE DELIVERY DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY APPLY TO ANY SALE ITEMS.

Safely delivering items you purchase in a timely fashion is both our priority and also one of the most challenging aspects of our business.

Wherever possible, we try to offer free kerbside delivery, contact-free, to most mainland UK addresses, either by ourselves or via our dedicated, trusted, couriers. This ensures that your purchases arrive in exactly the condition they were in when you purchased them, as accurately described on our site. You should expect delivery to be within 1 to 3 weeks of you placing the order. We will contact you directly with a firm delivery date and advise you in advance of a two hour delivery window.

Exclusions to free delivery apply, including where tolls or congestion zone fees apply, for which there will be an additional charge.

Free delivery does not apply to locations a long way away from our location in Cambridge or to areas of mainland UK not routinely covered by our trusted couriers - if this applies to your purchase, we will simply charge you what we are charged for delivery, less any Etsy fees, and notify you of this as soon as practicable after the sale goes through.

We are able to package and export items beyond mainland UK and have done so as far afield as Hong Kong and New Zealand. We regularly export to Northern Ireland and Eire and the majority of Europe. Please contact us directly for a tailored quotation.

When ordering, please supply us with your mobile ‘phone number, so we may liaise directly with you regarding delivery. Please advise if there are any delivery restrictions that will apply (such as anything other than ground floor access, parking and access restrictions etc.). We reserve the right to charge for deliveries outside of our standard terms.

Please note that if we are unable to deliver on a pre-arranged day, you will be charged a flat fee of £50 for re-delivery.