André Arbus ashwood and brass side table circa 1940

This elegant side table by André Arbus, designed in the 1940s, perfectly embodies the neoclassical vocabulary developed by the designer during this period. Its ash structure is composed of two circular tiers set within a faceted base, resting on a gently curved base. The brass stars adorning the central section are a distinctive motif of Arbus' work, subtly enriching the composition with a refined decorative accent. A sophisticated piece in which exceptional French craftsmanship is balanced by a restrained sense of modernity. Fully restored in our workshop and presented in excellent overall condition.
André Arbus (1903–1969) was a French designer, sculptor and decorator, known for his refined and elegant style. Born into a family of cabinetmakers in Toulouse, he trained at the Beaux-Arts while learning the craft of woodworking in his father's workshop. In 1925, he exhibited his first piece, a dressing table created with the painter Marx Saint-Saëns, at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. In the 1930s, he opened a gallery in Paris and became known for his neo-classical furniture enriched with precious materials such as bronze, ivory and lacquer. His creations combine traditional craftsmanship with a modernist sensibility, favouring clean lines and carefully considered proportions. In the 1940s and 1950s, he carried out public and private commissions, notably for ocean liners, and created bronze furniture-sculptures. Arbus remains a key figure of French decorative arts, reconciling tradition and contemporary design.