Raised Coffee Table in Chestnut and Glass attributed to Mario Quarti, 1940s

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A refined raised coffee table attributed to Mario Quarti, Italy, 1940s — a piece that quietly embodies the warmth and … Read more A refined raised coffee table attributed to Mario Quarti, Italy, 1940s — a piece that quietly embodies the warmth and structural intelligence of Italian craftsmanship in the immediate pre- and post-war years. Executed in solid chestnut (castagno), the table presents a circular form crowned by a thick glass top resting within a beautifully sculpted wooden frame. Beneath the glass, a meticulously constructed grid of intersecting wooden slats creates a rhythmic lattice — both structural and decorative — revealing the designer’s sensitivity toward proportion and geometric clarity. The craftsmanship is evident in every detail. The lattice is constructed with precise interlocking joints, each element carefully fitted in a traditional cross-lap configuration. The wood reveals subtle tonal variations, with darker oxidized veins contrasting against warmer honeyed passages — a patina developed naturally over decades. The rounded perimeter frame is solid and substantial, softly beveled and tactile, framing the glass with understated authority. The structure is supported by four elegantly tapered legs, slightly curved and gently flared outward. Each leg is connected by angular stretchers that meet at the center in a dynamic cross formation, reinforcing stability while creating a sculptural tension beneath the top. The visible joinery between legs and stretchers reflects traditional cabinetmaking techniques — mortise-and-tenon construction — executed with clarity and purpose rather than ornament. The choice of chestnut is particularly significant. See less