Roberto Aflalo “Spider” Coffee Table in Pau Marfim and Clear Glass for Branco & Preto, Brazil, 1952 — Lot 840

Description

An emblematic design of early Brazilian Modernism, Roberto Aflalo’s 1952 “Spider” coffee table for Branco & Preto brings together structural ingenuity, sculptural presence, and exceptional material expression. Its distinctive silhouette gives the construction itself an ornamental role—a confident architectural gesture conceived to be appreciated from every angle.

Three sculpted pau marfim arms converge at a central junction, extending outward before descending through rounded shoulders into elegantly tapered legs. The clear circular glass top reveals this radial composition in full, allowing the framework to read almost as a drawing in space. Beneath it, a circular ebonized plywood shelf establishes a strong visual counterpoint: dark against golden wood, solidity beneath transparency. Rich, flowing grain and delicate natural veining lend depth to the beautifully aged pau marfim.

Founded in São Paulo in 1952, Branco & Preto helped define a pivotal chapter in Brazilian design, bringing the ambitions of modern architecture into the domestic interior. Its architect-designed furniture united Brazilian materials and refined craftsmanship with an international modernist outlook. Aflalo’s “Spider” table gives that vision a particularly distinctive form.

Completely restored and now fitted with a clear glass top, this example retains its original base. A commanding centerpiece with practical surfaces for everyday use, it embodies the architectural sophistication and material richness central to collecting Brazilian Modern furniture.