3 Vintage Classics At Raspberry Mash

Whether your home office is carved out of an alcove or you have a smart study, add a vintage design classic to really up the style stakes.

A post-war British icon, the understated Esavian desk was conceived by English designer James Leonard. Esavian was the trading name for the Educational Supply Association Ltd, a leading supplier of functional and affordable school furniture, fixtures and…

1950s Esavian School Counter Top Chest Of Drawers  

A set of school drawers made by Esavian (ESA) of Stevenage, Hertfordshire. Esavian was the trading brand name for the Educational Supply Association Ltd, a leading UK supplier of school books, school furniture and fixtures. The ESA commenced trading in 1883 at a purpose-built factory in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The company had a forward-looking approach to modern materials and technologies.

The unit consists of 16 drawers and is most likely designed to sit on a counter-top.

The unit is of solid construction, with dovetail joins on the carcass and drawer units. The back of the unit is plywood, as are the underneath of the individual drawers. The rest of the unit and drawers are made from what we believe is beech.  

We estimate that this unit dates from approximately the 1950s, although we have not been able to find a similar style makers mark to compare with.

The unit was salvaged from a local primary school and the unit is in original condition. The unit has marks commensurate with age and previous use in a school, but overall is in good solid condition. It is painted white and where some of the paint has peeled it looks as if the carcass was painted turquoise blue before. There is a chalky blue paint on the underneath of the unit. The drawers all work nicely, but the stoppers are missing from the very top right drawer, so it pushes in a little too far. There are a few pen marks inside the drawers, with one being particularly marked. One drawer has a couple of lumps of dried glue inside. Some of the drawer fronts have sticky label residue.

A great item that can be used in its existing condition for a industrial look or easily restored with a bit of sanding.

Measurements: The unit measures approximately 46cm high x 92cm long x 30.5cm deep The drawers measure approximately 20.5cm wide x 9cm high x 28cm deep