Joaquim Tenreiro Octagonal Coffee Table
Price on request
Historical Design
1948
Imbuia Wood, Travertin
120 x 31 x 120 cm
47.2 x 12.2 x 47.2 in
This coffee table is inspired by traditional Brazilian octagonal tables, but is modernised through the design of its feet. The table combines Brazilian wood and a stone top, and was designed in two variations: a marble top or a travertine top – the latter is the version presented.
The veins and shades of the stone have patterns comparable to those of rosewood, creating a cohesive visual impact, underlined by the symmetrical composition and modern lines. The minimalist design of the table and the absence of ornament brings the materials to the foreground, making a sleek and refined piece.
Literature:
A. Chen, The Monacelli Press (ed.), Brazil Modern: the Rediscovery of Twentieth-century Brazilian Furniture, New York 2016, pp. 90-91.
M. C. Loschiavo Dos Santos, Bolsa de Arte (ed.), Tenreiro, Rio de Janeiro 1998, p. 84.
Artist
Joaquim Tenreiro
Joaquim Tenreiro (1906-1992) is often referred to as the father of Brazilian modernism. The furniture designer was born in Portugal and moved to Rio de Janeiro in the late 1920s. In 1941, he received a commission to create furniture for a home designed by Oscar Niemeyer for the writer Francisco Inácio Peixoto. He designed modern furniture that fit the Brazilian style of life, often using native woods. He continued designing furniture until the late 1960s, when he then devoted himself to painting and sculpture.
