Ella Side Table by Louis van Teeffelen for WéBé, Teak and Cane, Netherlands 1960s
A teak side table from the early 1960s, model Ella, designed by Louis van Teeffelen for the Dutch maker WéBé. Originally sold as a TV or occasional table, it has a solid teak top with softly rounded corners, tapered legs and a sculpted stretcher that frames the woven cane shelf below. The shelf works well for books or magazines, and the table sits comfortably next to a sofa or armchair.
Van Teeffelen was head designer at WéBé and brought a Scandinavian approach to Dutch furniture, which is why his work is often mistaken for Danish design. This piece shows that influence clearly in its proportions and the way the joints are shaped by hand.
Information
This side table, model Ella, was designed by Louis van Teeffelen for the Dutch furniture maker WéBé in the early 1960s. It was originally sold as a TV table or occasional table, and at 63 cm high it sits at a comfortable height beside a sofa, armchair or bed.
The top is made of teak, with softly rounded corners and a slightly raised edge that catches the light along the grain. Underneath, four tapered legs are joined by a sculpted stretcher that curves gently between them rather than meeting at hard angles. This detail is typical of Van Teeffelen's work: the frame is shaped with the same attention as the visible surfaces. The lower level holds a woven cane shelf set into a teak frame, practical for books, magazines or a record or two, and it keeps the overall piece light and open.
About the designer
Louis van Teeffelen (1921–1972) was head designer at WéBé in the Netherlands, where he introduced a Scandinavian approach to Dutch furniture. His tables, cabinets and chairs are often mistaken for Danish design, and pieces such as the Pelican chair and his sculpted teak tables are now well recognised by collectors across Europe. WéBé named several of its side tables after women, including Nelly, Netty and Ella.
Details
Designer: Louis van Teeffelen
Manufacturer: WéBé, Netherlands
Model: Ella
Period: early 1960s
Materials: teak, woven cane
Dimensions
Length: 64 cm (25.2 in)
Width: 50 cm (19.7 in)
Height: 63 cm (24.8 in)