Midcentury 1960s Fyne Ladye Afromosia Sideboard by Richard Hornby

As handsome as they come, this dark, solid afrormosia (more commonly spelt afromosia these days) sideboard dates from the 1960s and was designed by Richard Hornby for high-end furniture maker, Fyne Ladye. Fyne Ladye used almost exclusively afromosia , which has a deeper, blacker tone and striped grain compared to the more commonly seen teak. However in the early sixties importing this hardwood became prohibitively expensive so these pieces are rare finds and are always a privilege to see. Beautifully and thoughtfully designed with function as important as form, it’s been expertly crafted. The finer details are outstanding. The cut away cupboard door handles, the raised, beveled top edge, the reeded drawer fronts, all signature design features from Hornby. With two large outer cupboards, each with adjustable shelves, and four generous drawers, the top one sectioned, there’s a tremendous amount of storage within this piece. And yet, the width at just a touch over 1.5m, is smaller than many midcentury sideboards, broadening its appeal.