Quadrifoglio Coffee Table by Cesare Augusto Nava, Italy, 1969

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A magnificent example of Italian radical design ingenuity from the late 1960s, this extraordinary low round coffee table, model Quadrifoglio, … Read more A magnificent example of Italian radical design ingenuity from the late 1960s, this extraordinary low round coffee table, model Quadrifoglio, was designed by Cesare Augusto Nava and produced as a prototype around 1969–1970. Accompanied by original pictures from the Nava archive, the piece belongs to a very small series of experimental works developed by Nava, each reflecting his architectural precision and imaginative approach to form. It is not known how many pieces were made exactly but only a handful of pieces are known. The influence of Gio Ponti, under whom Nava trained and whose architectural discipline shaped his career, is evident throughout. Every detail is defined with a rare balance of geometry, space, and elegance. The result is a coffee table that is as much a sculptural object as it is functional furniture. Its playful and transformative qualities embody the spirit of the late 1960s and early 1970s, a period when Italian design embraced bold forms, new materials, and technological experimentation. The circular tabletop which is made of white painted wood, is divided into four radial segments that slide open to reveal a hidden compartment for storage. Once opened, an internal light source illuminates the interior, creating unexpected light effects and lending the table a theatrical, almost futuristic presence. At the very center sits an aluminum insert in the form of a vortex, a recurring motif in Nava’s work. from this vortex, a acrylic glass tube extends into the interior, further heightening the interplay between structure, transparency, and illumination. The table’s edges are encased in aluminum, framing the four segments in sharp definition and emphasizing the precision of its geometry. Supported on a semicircular base, the table achieves a striking harmony between curved and straight lines. The contrasting materials, plastic, painted wood, and brushed steel, capture the experimental language of the era while projecting an unmistakable Space Age sensibility. Its name, Quadrifoglio, meaning four-leaf clover, underscores both its segmented design and its rare, almost talismanic quality. First presented at the Salone del Mobile in Milan in 1969, the Quadrifoglio coffee table represents Nava’s fascination with transformation, utility, and the blurring of boundaries between art and design. Its whimsical nature, combined with meticulous craftsmanship, makes it a piece that not only anchors a modern or minimalist interior but also serves as a conversation point of exceptional originality. Today, such prototypes are regarded as highly collectible, embodying the optimistic experimentation of Italian design at the dawn of the 1970s. In excellent condition as this was never used. See less