One of my favourite pieces of Modern Design—and a perennial crowd-pleaser at auction—is the mid-century sideboard.
24/07/2026
This staple piece of furniture holds an enduring appeal, blending timeless aesthetics with everyday versatility. Most share the same build—a plain top over a series of cupboards and drawers, raised on tapered legs—effortlessly channelling that sleek, Scandinavian look perfect for minimalist interiors. Makers typically favoured teak, rosewood, mahogany, or a rich combination of these warm woods.
Yet, however similar their bare bones might be, every sideboard that enters our auction room shines with its own distinct personality. The secret, I find, rests entirely in the handle.
While a handle might seem like an insignificant detail, it is rarely an afterthought. Instead, it is the key designers use to unlock the fun in their creations, injecting originality into a standard form. In many ways, the handle functions like a maker’s mark or a signature.
Beyond its pleasing looks, the sideboard remains a highly utilitarian piece for 21st-century homes. It fits comfortably into almost any room thanks to its sensible proportions, ranging from compact versions to standard, elongated forms. The flat top surface provides the perfect stage to display art collections, photographs, a record player, or even a television.
Best of all, you do not have to look far to find stunning examples. British makers produced these pieces in abundance, with names like McIntosh, Archie Shine, G-Plan, and Jentique leading the charge.
Founded in 1869 in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, McIntosh revitalized its designs in the 1960s and 1970s under chief designer Tom Robertson. One of their most celebrated creations, the Dunvegan model, sold through our saleroom last year for £410. It features delicate, almost feminine handles carved into thin, curled lips along the top of each door and drawer, blending seamlessly into the body (photo 2). McIntosh was also renowned for its rich rosewood pieces. One such example sold at Halls in 2024 for £500 (photo 3), pairing organic, circular "eyelet" handles on the central doors with slender fin handles on the flanking sections.
Where McIntosh aimed for a seamless, blended look, Victor B. Wilkins embraced contrast for G-Plan. He created striking, two-tone pieces like the Fresco sideboard, which we sold in 2024 for £160.
Meanwhile, designer Robert Heritage brought texture to the forefront for the premier London manufacturer Archie Shine. He juxtaposed reeded drawer fronts with sleek brass pull handles, a playful combination seen on an example sold by Halls for £460 in 2024.
Finally, if space is at a premium, small-scale variations abound. Take Jentique, a Norfolk-based company founded in the 1930s by Geoffrey Bowman Jenkins and his wife, Edith. This summer, we sold a beautifully compact piece featuring sculptural, tone-on-tone handles for £200. It proves that no matter the footprint, the right detail always stands out.
So, keep an eye out for our Modern Design pieces and join us for our next specialist sale on 18th November.
If you have one such piece and are curious about its auction value, please get in touch with specialist Chloe Delpy-Harding by calling 01743 450 700 or email Chloe directly: [email protected] for a free valuation. Entries for the above-mentioned auction will be closing on 16th October, so book your appointment today.
To book your appointment with Chloe:
+44 (0)1743 450 700
[email protected]
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