Joaquim Tenreiro Brazilian Modern Dining Table in Rosewood Veneer and Original Clear Glass, Brazil, 1960s — Lot 968

Description:

Sculptural form and richly figured wood define this Brazilian Modern dining table by Joaquim Tenreiro, presented with its original clear glass top from the 1960s. The composition balances an expansive rectangular surface with a remarkably expressive base: two shaped rosewood-veneered supports connected by parallel horizontal stretchers. Transparent glass reveals the structure from above, making the relationship between material, proportion, and construction central to the design.

The base is distinguished by the elongated, lens-like profiles of its upright supports. Broad across their faces and tapering toward softly rounded ends, these elements shift in appearance as the viewer moves around the table. Seen frontally, they read as substantial architectural planes; viewed obliquely, their curved contours introduce an unexpected delicacy. The paired stretchers establish a measured horizontal rhythm between them, leaving an open central space that lends the composition clarity and visual lightness.

Across the rosewood veneer, densely drawn grain moves through deep chocolate, reddish brown, and warm amber tones. Fine dark striations give way to broader, undulating patterns, creating an almost landscape-like surface. The upright grain of the supports meets the lengthwise movement of the stretchers, emphasizing each component while bringing the base together as a coherent whole. Beautifully aged wood gives the table depth and individuality, with its natural figuring providing ornament within an otherwise restrained design.

The original clear glass top is integral to this presentation. Its straight edges and rectangular geometry frame the softer profiles below, while its transparency allows the rosewood grain and twin stretchers to remain visible. Extending beyond the base on all sides, the glass creates a floating effect and a generous dining surface without visually enclosing the room. The clarity of the top gives particular prominence to the sculptural quality of the wood.

Joaquim Tenreiro occupies a foundational place in Brazilian modern furniture design. Trained in traditional woodworking, he brought exceptional craftsmanship to a modern language grounded in Brazilian materials, refined proportions, and visual lightness. His work helped establish a distinct identity for Brazilian furniture, joining the warmth and expressive character of native woods with the spatial openness of modern architecture. This table reflects that sensibility through its disciplined construction and the quiet tension between substantial wood and transparent glass.

Completely restored, the table retains the richness and character of its aged rosewood veneer. Highly decorative and functional, it offers a distinctive centerpiece for a dining room, where the original glass surface preserves an uninterrupted view of the base. Its enduring appeal lies in the precision of its silhouette, the depth of its grain, and the ease with which sculptural presence serves everyday use.

Dimensions
Height: 30 in.
Width: 94.5 in.
Depth: 43 in.