Joaquim Tenreiro Dining Table in Rosewood Veneer and Bronze Smoked Glass, Brazil, 1950s - Lot 968

Description:

A refined expression of Brazilian modernism, this dining table designed by Joaquim Tenreiro, the pioneering designer widely regarded as the father of modern Brazilian furniture. Created in the 1950s, the piece embodies Tenreiro’s celebrated approach to lightness, elegance, and sculptural restraint, balancing architectural geometry with organic form.

The table is distinguished by its graceful elliptical silhouette, a hallmark of Tenreiro’s work. Rather than relying on rigid rectilinear lines, the design employs gently curved forms that soften the overall composition while enhancing its visual flow. The sculptural panel supports feature subtly rounded profiles that echo the table’s elliptical language, creating a harmonious relationship between base and top.

Executed in richly figured rosewood veneer, the base displays dramatic grain movement and deep tonal variation, ranging from warm honey and auburn undertones to darker chocolate striations. A horizontal stretcher provides both structural integrity and visual balance, emphasizing the table’s architectural presence while maintaining an exceptional sense of lightness.

The table is fitted with a custom bronze smoked tempered glass top measuring 94.5 inches wide by 39.5 inches deep (240 x 100 cm). Fabricated in substantial 3/4-inch (19 mm) tempered glass, the top provides a luxurious visual weight while preserving transparency and allowing full appreciation of the sculptural rosewood structure beneath. The refined bronze tint recalls the sophisticated material palette frequently associated with high-end Brazilian interiors of the mid-century period.

Further elevating the presentation are polished edges and generously radiused corners, each featuring a soft 2-inch radius. These subtle details reinforce the table’s flowing elliptical character while creating a refined, tactile finish. The floating appearance of the glass top lends the piece an architectural quality, enhancing its elegance without overpowering the base.

A striking example of Brazilian mid-century design, this table captures the timeless sophistication that made Joaquim Tenreiro one of the most influential figures in twentieth-century furniture design. Its combination of sculptural form, exceptional rosewood veneer, and custom bronze glass top creates a statement piece equally suited to contemporary and historically informed interiors.

Dimensions
Height: 30 in. (76.2 cm)
Width: 94.5 in. (240 cm)
Depth: 39.5 in. (100 cm)