Side Table in Pau Marfim Hardwood & Formica, Unknown, 1950s - Lot 111

Description

Produced in Brazil during the 1950s, this side table reflects the experimental character of early Brazilian modern furniture, where expressive structure and practical materials were often combined to create compact and versatile domestic objects. While the designer remains unidentified, the table clearly articulates many of the formal concerns that defined the period: lightness of structure, clarity of construction, and a disciplined interplay between natural wood and modern industrial surfaces.

The composition is organized across two staggered rectangular planes, creating a dynamic, tiered arrangement that balances function with sculptural presence. The upper surface appears to float above the lower plane, supported by slender cylindrical uprights that maintain visual openness between the levels. This layered structure introduces both visual rhythm and practical utility, allowing the table to function simultaneously as a display surface and secondary storage plane.

The base is defined by sharply tapered, “toothpick” legs—an enduring hallmark of Brazilian modern furniture—set at outward angles that lend the piece both stability and a sense of kinetic energy. These elongated supports visually lighten the structure, contrasting with the crisp geometry of the tabletops above and reinforcing the table’s architectural clarity.

Crafted from pau marfim hardwood, the frame highlights the species’ warm, golden tone and subtle grain. The primary surface is finished in gray Formica, a durable laminate widely adopted in mid-century design for its resilience and clean modern appearance. The pairing of hardwood structure with Formica surfaces reflects the period’s embrace of new materials while maintaining a strong connection to traditional woodworking.

The wood has been professionally refinished and the piece presents in excellent vintage condition, with minor signs of age consistent with its history. Compact yet architecturally expressive, this table stands as a refined example of Brazilian mid-century design and the inventive spirit that shaped the country’s modern furniture movement.