A beautiful, highly collectible piece of British mid-century design with fantastic documented history.
This is "The Centurion" Folding Table-Tray, part of the prestigious Paragon range manufactured by Edward Doherty & Sons Ltd. at Eedee House, Charlton Road, London, N.9.
As shown in original 1950s advertising, this clever design was sold through high-end department stores like Harrods and was officially Approved by the Council of Industrial Design and backed by the Good Housekeeping Institute Guarantee.
It offers quintessential 1950s charm and incredible versatility—originally marketed for "meals in bed, or when favourite television programmes clash with meal times!" It works perfectly today as a laptop stand, chairside table, or breakfast-in-bed tray.
Premium Materials: Features a natural solid beech frame and legs. Note: While originally catalogued as a choice of mahogany or walnut veneer, the warm tone of the bentwood tray perfectly complements any mid-century or teak aesthetic.
Patented Folding Mechanism: (Patent No. 816952). Ingenious British engineering—"just a touch of the fingers and your chairside table becomes a tea-tray." Simply push the handles downward and to the side to fold the sprung legs flat underneath.
Overall: Great vintage condition. Completely solid, sturdy, and ready for daily use.
Wear: Age-appropriate wear consistent with its 1950s heritage, including a couple of light surface blemishes to the tray top, which do not detract from its gorgeous vintage character.
Height: 26 cm (approx. 10 inches)
Width: 60 cm (approx. 23.5 inches)
Depth: 37 cm (approx. 14.5 inches)