Extendable Dining Table in Caviúna, Attributed to Giuseppe Scapinelli, Brazil, 1950s — Lot 1153

Description

An expressive Brazilian Modern dining table from the 1950s, attributed to Giuseppe Scapinelli, distinguished by richly figured caviúna, a softly contoured tabletop, and slender legs that curve gently outward toward the floor. Its presence rests on the relationship between an expansive wood surface and a remarkably graceful base: generous enough to anchor a dining room, yet visually light in its proportions. The design brings together sculptural movement, restrained detailing, and the warmth of the material in a composition equally suited to everyday dining and larger gatherings.

The caviúna is the table’s defining feature. Across the broad tabletop, dark, undulating grain moves through luminous shades of amber, tobacco, and deep brown, creating a surface with considerable depth and visual rhythm. The figuring varies from sweeping ribbons to tightly drawn whorls, giving the wood an almost landscape-like quality. A warm satin sheen reveals these transitions while allowing the natural character of the timber to remain central to the design. Seen from above, the tabletop becomes a composition in its own right, with the grain providing ornament through the material itself.

The elongated top has softly bowed sides and rounded corners, giving its rectangular form a more fluid outline. Along the perimeter, a shaped, stepped edge introduces a delicate second contour beneath the upper surface. This detail is especially compelling in profile, where a narrow line of reflected light traces the edge and emphasizes the tabletop’s apparent thinness. The overhang extends beyond the supporting frame, creating a clear distinction between the generous dining surface and the more closely gathered structure below.

Four sculpted wood legs provide the table’s most distinctive gesture. Broad at their connection to the frame, they taper gradually before sweeping outward near the feet. Their curvature is subtle and controlled, lending movement to the silhouette without overwhelming its clean architectural organization. The caviúna grain continues down the legs, emphasizing their length and making each support an individual expression of the wood. A recessed apron connects the base beneath the top, balancing the curved supports with a quieter horizontal line.

The extendable construction adds versatility to this carefully proportioned form. Opening the tabletop accommodates additional center leaves, increasing its length for larger gatherings while retaining the rounded ends and slender supporting base. In its extended configuration, the sequence of wood sections introduces a measured rhythm across the surface. Closed, the table assumes a more compact silhouette, with the central joint integrated into the richly patterned top.

The attribution to Giuseppe Scapinelli reflects the table’s affinity with the fluid contours and expressive treatment of wood associated with his design language. Here, that character is evident in the gently bowed tabletop, shaped perimeter, and outward-curving legs. Presented as an attributed work, the table is compelling on its own merits: a thoughtfully resolved piece whose material, outline, and structural details reward close attention.

With its richly animated caviúna and elegant, adaptable form, this 1950s Brazilian Modern dining table offers a strong focal point for an interior. Paired with upholstered dining chairs, sculptural lighting, or quieter architectural surroundings, it brings warmth and movement to the room while preserving the practical purpose at the heart of its design—a generous surface around which to gather.

Measurements:

Height: 83 cm, 33"

Width: 222 cm (open), 87" -  162 cm, 72" (closed)

Depth: 98.5 cm, 39"