Guillerme et Chambron Oak Coffee Table with Black and Red Ceramic Tiles for Votre Maison, France 1950s
Guillerme et Chambron Oak Coffee Table with Black and Red Ceramic Tiles for Votre Maison, France 1950s
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Price category: 2,500 - 5,000 usd / eur
This brilliant coffee table with red and black ceramic tiles is a piece characterised by the design genius of Robert Guillerme and Jacques Chambron. It visually represents why Votre Maison, the French duo’s company, significantly influenced French design history.
The renowned French design duo Guillerme et Chambron placed equal emphasis on function and visual interest, creating an instantly recognisable and arresting aesthetic. While their work is distinctively conservative and identifiable from project to project both in form and medium (their wood of choice, waxed oak, was often lightened or darkened to the same few tones), the duo’s pieces also possessed an unusual flare. They incorporated elaborately detailed tiles and unusually bright fabrics, which could be used interchangeably in various pieces. This coffee table is one of the most stunning examples of the success of their design experiments. It is hard to choose between the tabletop with ceramic inlays or the sculptural legs as the most captivating visual point. The thin glazed ceramic tiles are artistic, with interesting non-figurative patterns in various hues of red and black. The vivid colours stand out significantly against the light oak body that has aged beautifully and displays a lovely grain within the wood.
The collaboration of Robert Guillerme and Jacques Chambron was not just prolific, it was destined to be as influential as it was. Their company, Votre Maison, produced over two thousand models during the second half of the twentieth century, leaving an indelible stamp on the design of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Their output served as a model for a vast field of livable contemporaneous design and designers, inspiring a generation of creators.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use.
Dimensions:
29.13 in Ø x 17.72 in H
74 cm Ø x 45 cm H
About the Designers:
Robert Guillerme graduated in 1934 from the École Boulle where he excelled in architecture and furniture design. After the Second World War he moved to Lille, in the north of France, where he decorated homes and designed furniture for the well regarded Rogier workshops.
In 1948, Guillerme was joined by his long-time friend, decorator Jacques Chambron in Lille. The following year Guillerme and Chambron met master cabinetmaker Émile Dariosecq, owner of a woodworking shop and the company Votre Maison was born. Together, they defined and imposed a new furniture concept. Thanks to their distinctive creativity, originality, and quality, the Votre Maison quickly became well-known.
The Votre Maison marked the history of French design. Guillerme drew the furniture designs while Chambron played the part of salesman, welcoming and advising clients. The power duo was complemented by Dariosecq, whose workshop took charge of the manufacturing. Together, they defined new furnishings concepts. Well-crafted chair back, polished wood and thick cushions make the reputation of their armchairs and sofas. Votre Maison continued to produce furniture right into the 20th century, with Jacques’s son Hervé Chambron, a designer and graduate of the École Boulle, having taken the over in 1983. ~H.
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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. Across their faces, 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