Everything You Need to Know About Epstein Furniture

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(Above photo - Epstein Cocktail Cabinet Maple and Walnut Drinks 1930 )

Epstein furniture is named after two London cabinetmakers, Harry and Lou Epstein, who inherited the trade from their father, Morris Epstein. In the late 19th century, Morris had founded Epstein company. The two founded Epstein Company, one of the most dominant producers of Art Deco furniture. Epstein and his sons have received recognition for being some of the finest designers of the Art Deco Styles. They custom-made most of their furniture pieces using bleached walnut as the primary material. Apart from Harry and Lou, David, Michael, and Sidney operated furniture showrooms across the UK in Glasgow, London, and Manchester.

History of Epstein Furniture

(Above photo - Pair Epstein Art Deco Cabinets Walnut 1930 Sideboards )

Morris Epstein had just moved to East London from Poland in the 1890s when he founded the Epstein Company, famous for producing high-quality Art Deco furniture from the 1920s to the 1950s.

Epstein furniture was mostly custom-made, following special orders by their customers. The company stands out for using materials of the finest quality, including sycamore, maple, and walnut veneer. One of the most famous designs by this company is the “cloud” furniture, which was applied on sofa suites, armchairs, and dining chairs. Because of their unique sense of style, the company stood out from the crowd, becoming a significant influence on furniture design for more than two decades.

By 1945, the company had furniture showrooms in Glasgow, London, and Manchester. They promoted conservative Art Deco as their trademark style, with bleached walnut being their preferred material. Besides, the company developed mass-production techniques that brought high-quality furniture to the middle class and not just the aristocratic or fabulously wealthy class.

However, the Epstein brothers didn’t stick with the parent company, choosing to trade under several business names either individually or as each other’s partners. Initially, their Art Deco furniture pieces didn’t have any signature. Later on, the furniture had labels like “Epstein & Goldman” or H. & L. Epstein Limited. All of these are part of the extensive collection that’s today known as Epstein furniture.

Features of Epstein Furniture

(Above photo - Art Deco Drinks Cabinet Epstein Cocktail Chest Burr Walnut 1930 )

Epstein furniture was predominantly made in the Art Deco style. Its primary material was stained walnut, which featured mahogany, sycamore, and violet wood veneers. The furniture also had inlays of brass, ivory, and mother of pearl. As part of the finishing, the furniture had pony skins, oriental silk, snakeskin, and other animal hides.

The furniture was polished to give a very high sheen, making it highly brilliant. A good example is a Japanese lacquer, which gave the furniture a hard, shiny, tactile finish. Whether chairs or cabinets, the furniture featured geometrical shapes and had a high sense of symmetry. But Epstein furniture isn’t just elegant; it is also impressive quality, lasting for a long time with proper care.

Conclusion

(Above photo - Walnut Coffee Table Epstein and Co )

By buying Epstein furniture, you are getting more than just the name of a famous furniture-making family. Its furniture pieces are durable, capable of lasting through several generations. They are also elegant, helping you create an impressive home décor. We have some of the best Epstein furniture pieces in our store. Why don’t you come and check them out!