Poul Volther Gemla Teak Draw-Leaf Table & 6 Oak Chairs

Scandinavian modern dining suite designed by Danish architect Poul M. Volther for Gemla of Sweden, one of the country's oldest furniture houses. Volther's long collaboration with Gemla produced some of the most refined Swedish-made dining furniture of the period, pairing Danish design sensibility with Swedish craftsmanship. The draw-leaf extension table features a teak-veneered top over a composite core, mounted on a solid oak base with a gently bowed apron and tapered round legs — the two-wood construction characteristic of Volther's work for Gemla. End leaves stow beneath the main top and pull out independently, allowing the table to scale from a 41" square to a 77" rectangle without separate boards to store. Underside retains the original Gemla paper label and a "Made in Sweden" stamp.

Six matching side chairs accompany the table, built in solid oak with sculpted ladder backs and tapered round legs that echo the table base. The lower back rail of each chair is pierced with three rectangular slots designed to receive vertical strap inserts — originally leather or vinyl — a signature Volther detail. Seats are upholstered in a pastel abstract print from a previous reupholstery.

CONDITION Fair overall — a perfect restoration candidate. Frames are structurally solid throughout with no breaks to the wood; one chair may require reinforcing and one shows minor soiling. The original vertical strap inserts (three per chair back) are absent on all six chairs and would need to be replaced as part of restoration. All six chairs would also benefit from new upholstery, and the teak-veneered table top shows UV damage that a light refinish would address.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Table (closed): 29" H × 41" W × 41" D
• Table (one leaf extended): 29" H × 59" W × 41" D
• Table (both leaves extended): 29" H × 77" W × 41" D
• Chair: 31" H × 18" W × 19" D
• Seat: 17½" H × 18" W × 16" D
• Designer: Poul M. Volther
• Maker: Gemla, Sweden
• Materials: Teak-veneered top over composite core; solid oak base, frame, and chair construction
• Construction: Draw-leaf extension
• Era: c. 1960s
• Markings: Original Gemla paper label; "Made in Sweden" stamp underside
• Lot includes: (1) extension dining table, (6) side chairs