Short Sideboard by Richard B. Hornby for Fyne Ladye Furniture Ltd, UK (1960s)

Short Sideboard by Richard B. Hornby for Fyne Ladye Furniture Ltd, England, circa 1960

A beautifully proportioned mid-century sideboard designed by Richard B. Hornby for Fyne Ladye Furniture Ltd. Produced around 1960, the piece is crafted in richly figured afromosia, a timber often used by British makers during the period for its depth of colour and striking grain.

The cabinet features a gallery top above four central drawers with distinctive reeded fronts, the upper drawer originally fitted as a cutlery drawer. These are flanked by two cupboard doors with sculpted integrated handles, opening to reveal adjustable shelving that provides generous storage while maintaining the sideboard’s compact footprint.

Raised on slender tapered supports, the piece has the elegant stance typical of British mid-century furniture. The bold vertical grain of the afromosia gives the sideboard a strong visual presence, while the reeded drawers add subtle texture and rhythm across the front.

A versatile piece that works equally well in a dining room, hallway or living space.

Dimensions
Width: 153 cm
Depth: 48.5 cm
Height: 86 cm

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Designer: Richard B. Hornby

Richard B. Hornby was a British furniture designer associated with the post-war modern movement in British domestic design. Working with manufacturers such as Fyne Ladye Furniture, Hornby developed pieces that balanced practicality with the cleaner lines and lighter proportions associated with mid-century modernism. His designs frequently used richly grained hardwoods such as afromosia and teak, paired with thoughtful details including sculpted handles and finely proportioned legs. Hornby’s work reflects the broader shift in British furniture design during the late 1950s and 1960s toward more contemporary forms suited to modern interiors.

Manufacturer: Fyne Ladye Furniture Ltd

Fyne Ladye Furniture Ltd was a British furniture manufacturer based in Banbury, Oxfordshire, active during the mid-twentieth century. The company developed a reputation for producing well-made domestic furniture at a time when British manufacturers were beginning to adopt the cleaner lines of modern design. In the late 1950s and early 1960s Fyne Ladye collaborated with designer Richard B. Hornby, who created a series of contemporary dining and bedroom ranges crafted in richly grained timbers such as afromosia and teak. These designs combined practical storage with refined detailing and were sold through high-end retailers including Heals and Harrods in London. Today Fyne Ladye pieces are appreciated for their solid construction and understated interpretation of British mid-century modern furniture