Metal and Travertine Coffee Table in the manner of Gilbert Poillerat, Europe ca 1980s (sold)















Metal and Travertine Coffee Table in the manner of Gilbert Poillerat, Europe ca 1980s (sold)
By the mid-1980s, the modern and urban aesthetic was the epitome of cool. Tubular furniture, glass or stone-topped tables, chrome finishes and glass bricks all became ‘must have’ items. This table is modern yet features details of previous design eras, making it timeless.
Although this table was crafted in the 1980s, we can see how the design draws inspiration from the elegance and innovation that was characteristic of early 20th-century French decorative arts. French designers such as Gilbert Poillerat - renowned for his exquisite ironwork - transformed the approach to the material altogether. The table serves as a functional piece and a great example of how the early 20th century reimagined the use of iron in design and culture more broadly and allowed for future decades to take inspiration. Utilising and highlighting the qualities of the materials, this coffee table is a beautiful piece that can both dominate and complement a modern space. The tabletop is made from travertine; travertine is a form of limestone, and here it brings a distinctive character to the table. Known for its unique, porous surface, it showcases natural variations in colour and texture, consequently making each piece one-of-a-kind. The stone’s natural tones add a touch of timeless elegance. At the same time, the iron frame showcases meticulous craftsmanship and style. The legs of the table are delicately curved and decorative, forming graceful lines that evoke a sense of movement and lightness despite the robustness of the materials.
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, this table equally emphasizes function and visual interest, creating an instantly arresting aesthetic.
SOLD
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The table has recently been reconditioned. Minor marks, scratches, and dents. Due to the nature of the stone, the item may have some additional discolouration.
Dimensions:
42.12 in W x 42.12 in D x 18.89 in H
107 cm W x 107 cm D x 48 cm H
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Price category: 2,500 - 5,000 usd / eur
During the 1950s, Danish Modern furniture placed equal emphasis on structural clarity and refined craftsmanship. Rather than treating tables as purely functional objects, designers created furniture that integrated beauty into day-to-day life. Thanks in great part to an early emphasis on wood and a resistance to certain modernist currents by influential designers, Danish Modern has avoided associations with cold industrialisation and machine aesthetics.
The movement's preference for fine cabinetmaking and expressive timber is evident in this coffee table, whose elegant silhouette is achieved through a restrained combination of curves and expressive wood. The long, rectangular top displays a dramatic grain pattern, with tonal variations across the surface. Supporting it is an elegant, trestle-like base. The designer strayed away from the bulky, robust versions of this iconic base style, opting instead for two sweeping curved side supports connected by a single stretcher, creating an open architectural framework beneath the tabletop. The contrast between the crisp horizontal plane of the top and the flowing curves of the base creates a dynamic, yet balanced, composition. Danish modern designs are, at their core, utilitarian objects; as a result, this table’s form follows function, offering both a generous surface area and great stability. The absence of unnecessary detailing directs attention to the quality of the timber, the precision of the joinery, and the graceful geometry of the structure.
Elegant from every angle, the table demonstrates why Danish Cabinetmakers and their designs are some of the most thoughtful pieces of furniture. Its understated design and versatile character allow it to complement a wide range of interiors while showcasing the enduring appeal of the Danish modern period.
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.
Dimensions:
59.25 in W x 25.59 in D x 21.65 in H
150.5 cm W x 65 cm D x 55 cm H