Large coffee table in gilded iron, by Robert Thibier, Paris, France, circa 1960

Large and elegant coffee table made of hammered iron with a gold leaf finish featuring a clear glass top, by Roger and Robert Thibier, Paris, France, circa 1960

Lenght: 51.18 in / 4.265 feet / 130 cm
Width: 18.9 in / 48 cm
Height: 16.14 in / 41 cm

Born in Paris into a wealthy family, Robert Thibier (1926–2001) studied at the École des Beaux-Arts and became an interior designer in 1951. With offices located at some of Paris’s most prestigious addresses (Place de la Madeleine and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré), he catered to a clientele of celebrities and socialites, including the Rothschild family, as well as athletes and industrialists.
An interior architect rather than a furniture designer, Thibier produced a few pieces of furniture for his clients with the intention of creating “modern antiques” that would harmonize with other European antiques and convey a strong sense of opulence. To achieve this, he created geometric wrought-iron furniture covered with a very subtle layer of gold leaf. Some of his pieces are signed and numbered.
In the 1970s, Robert Thibier also collaborated with Maison Ramsay and created some of their most famous designs.
Throughout his career, Robert Thibier worked on numerous prestigious projects, notably for hotels, restaurants, and boutiques. He also designed furniture and home decor accessories for renowned brands such as Hermès, Cartier, and Chanel. Robert Thibier was known for his elegant and contemporary style, which combined modern materials with classic forms. He received several awards for his work, including the City of Paris Design Prize in 1975 and the Grand Prix National de la Création Industrielle in 1985. Today, Robert Thibier’s creations are part of the permanent collections of museums such as the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Montreal.