André Coffee Table by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, Italy, 1970s

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André square table, designed by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, with smoked glass top and chromed steel frame. The André table … Read more André square table, designed by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, with smoked glass top and chromed steel frame. The André table by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Gavina is a refined expression of structural clarity and material honesty, characteristic of the Scarpa duo’s architectural approach to furniture design. Conceived as a rigorous interplay between glass and metal, the table embodies rationalist precision balanced with sculptural presence. Design & Structure The table is composed of a square glass top resting on a visible metal support frame and four cylindrical legs. The structural grid beneath the glass is not concealed; instead, it becomes the defining aesthetic feature. A brushed aluminum perimeter frame outlines the tabletop, intersected by orthogonal crossbars that form a precise geometric matrix. These bars connect to polished cylindrical uprights via circular junction collars, emphasizing the mechanical logic of the construction. The result is a table where structure is both functional and decorative — an architectural framework supporting a seemingly weightless plane.

Materials Smoked or clear glass top Brushed and polished aluminum frame Four cylindrical aluminum legs Rubber foot caps

Manufacturer’s label: Gavina S.p.A. – Reg. Trade Mark The combination of cool industrial metal and transparent glass reflects the Scarpa’s interest in exposed construction and modernist material dialogue. The junction details, with circular connectors and visible intersections, highlight the precision of fabrication. The André table exemplifies Afra and Tobia Scarpa’s disciplined architectural vocabulary. Rather than decorative excess, the design relies on proportion, structural rhythm, and refined detailing. The exposed grid system anticipates later high-tech aesthetics while remaining grounded in Italian modernist tradition. Produced by Gavina — one of Italy’s most influential postwar manufacturers — the table belongs to a lineage of intellectually rigorous designs that bridged architecture and furniture. Today, the André table stands as a collectible piece of Italian modern design, valued for its clarity, structural elegance, and enduring contemporary relevance. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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