Mid-Century Modern Table with Cross Stretchers, Europe ca 1950s (sold)
Mid-Century Modern Table with Cross Stretchers, Europe ca 1950s (sold)
Upon hearing the words “Mid-Century Modern”, many people conjure up images of sleek furniture from the 1950s and 1960s. In reality, the style is not simply an exercise in nostalgia, it is this coffee table: uncluttered, timeless, organic, with impeccable quality of material and craftsmanship.
Thanks in great part to an early emphasis on wood and a theoretical resistance to certain modernist currents by influential designers, mid-century modern furniture design in much of Europe has avoided associations with cold industrialization and machine aesthetics. The era’s designers’ predilection for curvilinear shapes and certain woods, often oak, is evident in this coffee table’s sinuous circular top and solid wood body. Since mid-century modern designs are first and foremost utilitarian objects, this table’s form follows function, with a sizeable top and a structure that assures stability. This solid wood coffee table is striking in balancing large volumes with clean geometrical lines. The legs are straight with cross stretchers connecting them. The stretchers are joined to the legs with mortise and tenon joints that are visually stunning and enhance the organic look. The cross pattern also appears on the top in its raw, almost brutalist form. The stretchers’ dual-purpose (aesthetic and functional) shows why European cabinetmakers and their designs are some of the most thoughtful pieces of furniture in existence.
The organic design serves the purpose of showing the understated beauty of natural materials and their endless possibilities under the hands of an expert craftsman. The wood has aged beautifully and displays a beautiful grain within the wood. This table has a startling rawness, but with its warm-toned, hand carved body, it is a greatly-balanced piece.
SOLD
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Some marks and scratches on the patinated wood.
Dimensions:
59.05 in ⌀ x 29.52 in H
150 cm ⌀ x 75 cm H
REQUEST PRICE HERE
Price category: 20,000 - 30,000 usd / eur
Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet were a French design duo who worked together during the 20th century. They were known for their innovative use of natural, sustainable materials, including rope, wicker, and bamboo. The duo’s work was heavily influenced by the Modernist movement, which sought to create functional and streamlined designs that were accessible to a wider audience.
Audoux & Minet’s pieces are characterised by a strong sense of craftsmanship, with each piece being handmade by the designers themselves or by skilled artisans. This dining table showcases a long rectangular top finished in warm wood veneer, its broad uninterrupted surface displays the grain. The top sits above thick base covered in a tightly woven natural fibre that introduces an immediate depth of tone and texture. The fibre flows across the supports in beautiful braided patterns, emphasising the bold and solid look. The rope is made into a geometric pattern which breaks up the woven surface to create a beautiful rhythm within the structure. The contrast of materials is central to the table’s character: the smooth, richly grained wooden top stands out against the coarse, rough and natural fibre below, allowing two very different surfaces to define the piece.
Today, Audoux and Minet's designs are highly sought after by collectors and are considered important examples of mid-century modern design. Furniture pieces like this table stand out through their unique textures, and their materials, as well as their classic charm.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The table has recently been reconditioned. Due to the nature and age of the material, the item has some marks and scratches on the tabletop. Additional imperfections like chips, dents or discolouration may be present.
Dimensions:
67.12 in W x 33.46 in D x 29.13 in H
170.5 cm W x 85 cm D x 74 cm H