Pia Manu Brutalist Coffee Table in Forged Iron and Concrete, Belgium 1970s

A truly extraordinary attractive masterpiece from an early series of designs from the stable of the Belgian Pia Manu. We would like to attribute this design to the original owner of the label Jules Dewaele who was responsible for a vast number of designs. His son Koen Dewaele is designing up until this day for the Pia Manu label. It is a coffee table that, in our opinion, reflects the essence of Belgian brutalism. Its sculptural character means that it can also be seen as an art object. So incredibly coarse and refined at the same time that you have to take a moment to let it sink in. The use of very raw materials such as the forged oxidized iron for the base, which stick into the floor like teeth and is held together with two rings, has been sublimely achieved. This is probably the most primitive thing about this table, which is then decorated with a cast concrete top finished with a ceramic glaze on which a relief has been made and can best be described as a work of art within a work of art. The raised edges protrude aggressively from the blade. Their different heights create small shadows. In the middle of this beautiful violence, two circles are placed diagonally opposite each other, and in that space, the drama is enhanced by the many lines and depths. It could easily go for an abstract top view of a dystopian city. This is an unparalleled item that deserves a special place, but will also occupy it by itself. A label signature "Pia Manu" is applied at the edge of the top. Its condition is consistent with use and age the top has several hairlines and one of the 'teeth' is slightly positioned inward. We would like to mention that this does not detract from the beauty of this piece in any way.