Large dining or conference table in solid ebony and Carrara marble, certified one-of-a-kind piece, designed by Luciano Frigerio, Italian production from the 1970s.
Ebony: a rare, precious material that was historically at the heart of adventurous maritime trades linking Europe to the most distant seas. This wood, almost exclusively reserved for high-end cabinetry and the creation of fine musical instruments, is distinguished by its use in the black keys of pianos and certain parts of the finest string instruments. In furniture making, this exotic wood is typically found in delicate inlays and decorative fillets, but always in small quantities.
Encountering a table of such dimensions, with a top so thick and entirely made of solid ebony, is an absolutely unique event. Luciano Frigerio aimed to create something unrepeatable, a one-of-a-kind piece, when he designed this table in the mid-1970s. This piece was not intended for commercial sale or any specific commission; rather, it was something the Italian designer created for himself, to meet his personal needs, reflecting his own taste.
To understand the design and aesthetic choices of such a unique piece, we can delve into Frigerio’s biography, attempting to grasp the personal sentiment that drove his work. Born in 1928 within a historical context of artisanal cabinetry, Frigerio was likely immersed in a world that valued sensitivity to materials, rare woods, and creative expression through them from a young age. Many of his creations integrate marquetry techniques in roles that go beyond mere decoration. He was also a passionate pianist, and music significantly shaped his aesthetic sensibility. Throughout his work, there is a clear reference to artistic violin making, where ebony is crucial due to its technical characteristics.
The blending of different materials was always a hallmark of Frigerio’s design projects, combining them in a quest for superior aesthetic harmony. Glass, wood, bronze, and stone were expertly juxtaposed in an aesthetic alchemy deeply indebted to the art of sculpture. This table merits the description "monumental" not only due to its generous dimensions but also for the use of two Carrara marble columns supporting the tabletop. Here again, various precious materials meet in a composition of great refinement.
This table suits large spaces that embody the courage to dare, placing something absolutely unique and full of character. The originality of the piece is guaranteed by precise documentation and a bronze plaque bearing the producer's name.
Dimensions: 280 W x 97 D x 77,5 H cm.
