“Ilidio” Brazilian Modern Dining Table in Rosewood, Freijó & Imbuia by Sergio Rodrigues, 1965 — Lot 1151

Description

Designed in 1965, the “Ilidio” dining table expresses Sergio Rodrigues’s distinctive approach to Brazilian modern furniture: generous proportions, robust construction, and an unmistakable celebration of wood. Its architectural base and softly rounded tabletop create a compelling balance between strength and fluidity, giving the design a substantial yet welcoming presence.

Crafted in rosewood, freijó, and imbuia, this example showcases the expressive beauty of Brazilian hardwoods. The rosewood has aged beautifully, developing rich tonal depth that accentuates its dramatic grain. Across the broad tabletop, dark, flowing figuring creates a richly patterned surface, framed by a substantial edge with gently curved corners. A restrained sheen allows the wood’s natural character to remain the focus.

Below, sturdy legs and pronounced horizontal stretchers establish a clear structural rhythm. The open framework balances the visual weight of the top while making the table’s construction integral to its design. Small chrome buttons punctuate the wooden frame, introducing precise, reflective accents against the warmth of the timber.

Rodrigues occupies a central place in the history of Brazilian design. Through Oca, founded in Rio de Janeiro in 1955, he helped establish a modern furniture vocabulary rooted in local materials, craftsmanship, and Brazilian ways of living. His work brought warmth and a distinctly national identity to the interiors of a country whose modern architecture was gaining international recognition.

The “Ilidio” embodies that vision through a direct relationship between material, structure, and everyday use. Its enduring appeal lies in the confidence of its proportions and the richness of its wood—a dining table with the presence of an architectural centerpiece.