Signed Early Silas Seandel "Ortega" Brutalist Cut Metal Coffee Table, circa 1970

An early "Ortega" cocktail table designed and executed by Silas Seandel at his New York City studio, circa 1970. The piece features a dynamic, architectural base comprised of intersecting, crescent-shaped ribbons. Each metal ribbon is independently torch-cut from heavy steel plate, giving the edges their characteristic rough, irregular texture. The overlapping arcs are welded together to form a multi-tiered structural framework. The surfaces are finished using studio-applied bronze and brass brazing, treated with heat and acids to produce a varied, non-uniform patina rich in deep earth tones and variegated golden highlights. The base is signed by the artist but remains undated, characteristic of Seandel's early 1970s studio practice before consistent system dates were applied to his work.

The structural metal base is paired with its substantial original 48" x 48" square plate glass top featuring a rare 1-inch thickness and polished edges. For display and alternate staging versatility, the base is also photographed with two secondary replacement tops: a 41.5" diameter circular glass top (0.250" thick), and a 34" x 48" rectangular glass top (0.375" thick).

Buyer Selection Note: The purchase price includes the sculptural base and the buyer's choice of one of the three featured glass tops to best fit their space and layout requirements.

Creator Background & History
Born in New York City in 1937, Silas Seandel graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1959 with a degree in economics and sculpture. He opened his Manhattan studio in 1963, initially focusing on fine art exhibition pieces. His career shifted toward functional art after receiving early architectural commissions for wall sculptures, leading him to become a prominent figure in the 1960s and 1970s American studio craft movement.
The "Ortega" series belongs to Seandel’s core body of Brutalist and organic modernist work from the early 1970s. During this period, his studio rejected mass production, opting instead for a small-crew fabrication process where pieces were executed by hand from solid metals. Instead of using enamels, paints, or veneers, the final coloration is achieved strictly through the controlled application of acids and direct heat treatments. This specific example features a verified studio signature but bears no execution date. In Seandel's catalog chronology, the presence of a signature without a stamped production year indicates an early piece from the opening years of the 1970s, predating the numbered dating conventions and larger standardized dining configurations that his studio adopted later in the decade.

Specifications
Creator: Silas Seandel (Designer, Artist)
Design: Ortega
Place of Origin: United States (New York, NY)
Period: Early 1970s
Markings: Signed by the artist (undated)
Materials: Torch-Cut Steel, Brazed Bronze, Brass, Plate Glass
Condition: Very Good (Vintage base is structurally sound with original studio patina. Light surface scratches or scuffs to glass choices consistent with age and light use).
Configuration Options (Select One Top)
Option 1 (Original): 48" W x 48" D x 1.000" H (Square)
Option 2 (Round Alternative): 41.5" Diameter x 0.250" H (Circular)
Option 3 (Rectangular Alternative): 48" W x 34" D x 0.375" H (Rectangular)