Jindřich Halabala Mid-Century Modern Extending Dining Table — Ebonised Walnut
A Rare & Exceptional Find
Designer: Jindřich Halabala
Origin: Czechoslovakia
Period: circa 1950s–1960s
Material: Walnut, ebonised finish — professionally refinished
Style: Mid-Century Modern / Czech Functionalism
About the Piece
We are delighted to offer this exceptionally rare Jindřich Halabala extending dining table — a piece that sits at the very pinnacle of Central European mid-century design. Finished in a deep, richly toned ebonised walnut, this table commands attention in any room it inhabits. Bold yet beautifully restrained, it is the kind of furniture that anchors a space with quiet authority.
The table has been recently and professionally refinished to an outstanding standard, preserving every nuance of its original form whilst presenting the ebonised walnut surface in truly gallery-worthy condition. The refinish has been sympathetically undertaken — no corners cut, no character lost. What you receive is a piece that looks as significant as it is.
Dimensions
Closed (seats 4–6 comfortably):
Length: approximately 140 cm | Width: 90 cm | Height: 75 cm
Extended (seats 8–10 comfortably):
Length: approximately 200 cm | Width: 90 cm | Height: 75 cm
The table extends via a smooth, well-engineered central leaf mechanism — a testament to the precision craftsmanship of the Czechoslovak furniture industry at its peak. The leaf stores neatly within the table’s own frame, making it both practical and elegant for everyday living and entertaining alike.
About the Designer — Jindřich Halabala (1903–1978)
Jindřich Halabala is widely regarded as one of the most significant and influential furniture designers of 20th-century Czechoslovakia. Born in 1903, Halabala studied at the School of Arts and Crafts in Brno before going on to become the creative force behind UP Závody (United Furniture Factories), the state-run furniture manufacturer based in Brno, where he worked from the late 1920s and remained closely associated with for decades.
His work is defined by a masterful synthesis of modernist principles and a deep understanding of material and function. Drawing from the Bauhaus tradition and the broader European functionalist movement, Halabala developed a design language that was rigorous but humane — furniture that was rational in construction yet warm and genuinely liveable. His pieces were designed to be made well and made to last, and the best examples of his output bear that philosophy out entirely.
In the post-war period, Halabala’s influence over Czechoslovak furniture design was profound. As lead designer at UP Závody, he shaped the aesthetic vocabulary of an entire industry, creating pieces that reached homes across Central and Eastern Europe. Despite operating largely behind the Iron Curtain and therefore receiving less international recognition than his Western contemporaries, Halabala’s reputation has grown considerably in recent decades as collectors and design historians have come to fully appreciate the quality and originality of his output.
Today, his work is actively sought by serious mid-century collectors across Europe and beyond. Pieces in original or professionally restored condition — particularly in distinctive finishes such as this ebonised walnut — are increasingly difficult to source.
Why This Table Is Special
Halabala dining tables are rare in the market under any circumstances. To find one in an ebonised walnut finish — a darker, more dramatic treatment that elevates the already-refined Halabala aesthetic — is genuinely uncommon. The ebonised finish gives this table a sophistication and edge that sets it apart from the more frequently seen lighter walnut or beech examples. It would sit as comfortably in a design-led contemporary interior as it would in a period mid-century room.
The professional refinish means this is not a project piece. It is a finished, collection-ready item that will go straight to work as the centrepiece of a dining room — and look extraordinary doing so.
Condition
Excellent. Recently professionally refinished in ebonised walnut. The extension mechanism operates smoothly and correctly. All structural elements are sound and robust. Minor age-appropriate patina consistent with a piece of this period and provenance.
Worldwide Shipping Available
Eclectic Trading Company ships globally. All pieces are professionally packed and fully insured in transit. Please contact us for a bespoke shipping quote to your location.
This piece is offered for sale as a single item. Given the rarity of Halabala pieces in this finish and condition, early enquiry is strongly recommended.
Eclectic Trading Company | Worldwide Dealers in Vintage & Antique Furniture
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