Jentique

Jentique is a brand of furniture made by Jentique Furniture Ltd. Started in the 1930s by the well-known toymaker Geoffrey Bowman Jenkins and his wife Edith, the company was based in Dereham, Norfolk. Jenkins lost his business to partner Bernard Smart (better known as the maker of Metamec clocks) in 1936.

Along with similar cabinetmakers (e.g. Meredew), the design of Jentique furniture followed the tastes of the times and the company did particularly well during the 1950s and 1960s, tapping into the hugely popular mid-century modern style inspired by Danish design.

Today, teak Jentique furniture from this period has become an affordable collectors' item prized for being attractive, well-made pieces.

From the 1964 Jentique leaflet: "Jentique Furniture has been noted for many years for its sound construction and excellent design. This leaflet illustrates the designs at present available. Examine the pieces in the shop and we are sure you will be impressed by the finish and first class materials used. As a medium sized company Jentiques production is restricted enough to ensure that your purchase is exclusive and we guarantee every item against defects as it is a matter of pride to us that each individual customer shall be permanently satisfied with his acquisition."

In 1964 Jentique offered sideboards, dining tables, dining chairs, bureaus, and bookcases in Teak, Tola, American Walnut, and combinations.

References

In the period around the 1960s /1970s Jentique also introduced a range of solidly made furniture in figured ash, in competition with the very popular ranges of Ercol furniture in elm and beech. The Jentique ash furniture is of high quality construction, with an excellent finish and a good colour. Unlike Ercol furniture of the period, the Jentique pieces seem to be quite uncommon, and were probably made and sold in small quantities in the UK, although it is possible that export markets existed at the time. In the UK there exists a small but devoted band of Jentique ash furniture collectors and enthusiasts.

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