Makers & Designers

Founded in 1904 by Latvian cabinetmaker Hyman Ospovat, Duros was a renowned Cape Town furniture manufacturer. The name is a blend of Ospovat and "durability". In the 1950s and 1960s, the company became a prominent South African pioneer of the Scandinavian (Danish) Modern Style, adding unique features like floating bases to their sapele mahogany and walnut designs. Duros operated its first factory in Chapel Street, Woodstock, in 1903, then moved to a prominent facility in Roeland Street in the 1930s. The company firmly established itself as one of the premier furniture makers in South Africa, adhering to founder Hyman Ospovat's favorite slogan taken from John Keats: “A thing of beauty is a joy for ever”. By the 1950s, as Scandinavian modernism swept the globe, Duros adapted these clean lines and pragmatic design sensibilities for the local market. Rather than merely copying European designs, they added distinctly South African touches, such as their trademark "floating bases" on sideboards and elegantly sculpted conical tapered legs on tables. The company remained highly successful until its eventual closure in the 1980s. Today, Duros pieces are highly sought-after mid-century modern collectibles, celebrated for their sturdy solid wood construction, exquisite veneers, and timeless silhouettes.