"Model T118" Coffee Table by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, Denmark 1960s (sold)
"Model T118" Coffee Table by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, Denmark 1960s (sold)
This immediately recognizable model, the “T118” is a Danish modern classic with a glass top and a solid, sculptural wood base. Designed by Illum Wikkelsø, this table always makes a lasting impression in any interior.
The form has an inherently organic impression, which comes naturally for most mid-century modern Danish pieces, where drawing inspiration from natural, organic form is quintessential. Wikkelsø worked with clean lines, but he also had a strong sense of organic expression and was deeply inspired by nature – especially the Danish landscape. He aimed to capture the beauty he saw in the environment around him in his furniture designs. In the case of this coffee table, the base - traditionally made of teak - consists of two ‘X’ shaped pieces joined together in the middle. Both the top and bottom parts are made from separate wood pieces resulting in a diverse pattern and grain. The circular glass top was designed to showcase the base even from the top view, which shows that it was always meant to be the focus of the design. This table’s design is entirely based on Wikkelsø’s artisanship, which hails from a generation of cabinetmakers, upholsterers and furniture producers established before the 1950s. This heritage shines through this coffee table with a creative design that doesn’t compromise on quality.
Translating it into furniture that closely embraces the human figure while remaining steadfast and durable. With his clear design aesthetic and deep understanding of materials, Illum Wikkelsø was one of the key protagonists to make Danish design style an international phenomenon.
SOLD
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Some scratches and marks on the glass.
Dimensions:
41.33 in ⌀ x 17.71 in H
105 cm ⌀ x 45 cm H
About the designer:
Kristian Illum Wikkelsø (1919-1999), by his full name, is best known for his seating designs. Like most Danish designers at the time, Wikkelsø trained as a carpenter until 1938 and then followed in the footsteps of many of his later colleagues and continued his studies at the Copenhagen School of Arts and Crafts, graduating on 1941.
In 1944, Wikkelsø moved to Århus to work as an interior designer He was then employed at the carpentry master and architect Jacob Kjær's drawing room and then at Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard Nielsen’s architectural firm, where he worked until 1954. The same year, Illum Wikkelsø began designing his own furniture and a few years later, he established his own workshop. A number of Danish manufacturers produced Wikkelsø’s designs, such as C.F. Christensen, Holger Christiansen and Søren Willadsen.
Like many of his Danish contemporaries, including Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl, and Hans Wegner, Wikkelsø’s designs emphasize formal simplicity and biomorphic silhouettes. Wikkelsø’s background in cabinetry engendered in him a profound understanding of materials and an excellent attention to detail. Working with teak and rosewood, he captured delicately sculptural forms. Wikkelsø believed that furniture should be built to last while cradling the body and pleasing the eye.
Though little biographical information survives, the quality of Illum Wikkelsø’s designs affirms his status as an active proponent of Scandinavian modernism in the post-war era. ~H.
REQUEST PRICE HERE
Price category: 7,500 - 10,000 usd / eur
By the mid-1980s, the modern and urban aesthetic was the epitome of cool. Tubular furniture, glass-topped tables, chrome finishes and glass bricks all became ‘must have’ items. Lother Klute created pieces in line with the trend, designing a plethora of glass-topped tables, and this one is a perfect example of the era’s style.
Utilising and highlighting the qualities of the materials used, combined with the expertise of Lother Klute, this coffee table is a beautiful piece that can both dominate and complement a modern space. The coffee table's round glass top showcases an appealing textural look. As a result, the impression is quite elemental and striking. The dark colour of the patinated solid brass that forms the structure of the table contrast beautifully with the top, as its robustness grounds the design. The combination of materials make this table a stylish example of the period’s design versatility. From the thick bubble glass, to the durable and resistant brass, this piece is made to last. Coffee tables, in general, serve as design staples in living spaces for a multitude of reasons: beyond their utilitarian function of providing a surface for drinks and books, they anchor a room, creating a focal point around which furniture and conversation revolve. Overall, the table equally emphasizes function and visual interest, creating an instantly arresting aesthetic.
This piece is a representation of German Post-Modernist design from the 1980s, an interesting phase of cultural and social impacts with creatives trying to figure out a way towards leaving their mark on the design world.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use.
Dimensions:
42.52 in ⌀ x 20.08 in H
108 cm ⌀ x 51 cm H