Tables — Modern Collector: Design and Tiffany Studios
Wendell Castle was an American artist and designer who is considered one of the pioneers of American studio furniture. He is best known for his innovative and sculptural furniture designs that blur the boundaries between art and function.
In the 1960s, Wendell Castle began experimenting with traditional woodworking techniques and pushing the boundaries of furniture design. He gained recognition for his unique handcrafted pieces that challenged traditional notions of furniture aesthetics. Castle's work often features organic shapes, flowing lines and a sense of whimsy. He has used a variety of materials to create his sculptural furniture, including wood, fibreglass and plastic.
Marcel Lajos Breuer was a Hungarian American modernist architect and furniture designer. He moved to the United States in 1937 and became a naturalized American citizen in 1944.
At the Bauhaus he designed the Wassily Chair and the Cesca Chair, which The New York Times have called some of the most important chairs of the 20th century. Breuer extended the sculpture vocabulary he had developed in the carpentry shop at the Bauhaus into a personal architecture that made him one of the world's most popular architects at the peak of 20th-century design. His work includes art museums, libraries, college buildings, office buildings, and residences. Many are in a Brutalist architecture style, including the former IBM Research and Development facility which was the birthplace of the first personal computer. He is regarded as one of the great innovators of modern furniture design and one of the most-influential exponents of the International Style.
Le Corbusier, born Charles-Édouard Jeanneret in Switzerland, was a visionary French architect, designer, and writer who profoundly influenced modern architecture and urban planning. His innovative ideas blended functionalism with bold sculptural expressionism, embodying the essence of the International Style of architecture. Notably, Le Corbusier's designs, such as the Villa Savoye and the master plan for Chandigarh, India, are celebrated for their revolutionary approaches to living spaces and urban environments.
Le Corbusier's early life in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, where he was immersed in the art and craft of watchmaking, significantly shaped his design principles. His architectural journey began without formal training, starting with his education in decorative arts and leading to significant collaborations across Europe. Le Corbusier's philosophy was deeply rooted in the belief that architecture should improve living conditions, particularly in crowded cities. This belief drove his contributions to the Congrès International d'Architecture Moderne and his development of influential architectural principles, such as the Five Points of Architecture, which are exemplified in Villa Savoye.
Villa Savoye, located in Poissy, France, stands as a testament to Le Corbusier's innovative approach, featuring pilotis (reinforced concrete stilts), a functional roof garden, an open floor plan, horizontal windows, and a free façade design. These elements collectively embody his vision of a "machine for living," integrating the house with its environment and the modern lifestyle. Despite facing issues with structural durability and weather resistance, Villa Savoye remains a pivotal work in architectural history, symbolizing the transition to modern architectural thought.
Le Corbusier's legacy is multifaceted, extending beyond architecture to furniture design and painting, showcasing his broad artistic talents. His work continues to inspire and provoke discussion, reflecting both his groundbreaking contributions to modern architecture and the complexities of his ideologies and methodologies.
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André Sornay was a French designer and decorator, lauded for his innovative contributions to the Art Deco movement. Born on January 28, 1902, in Lyon, he was a visionary who transformed his family's traditional furniture business into a bastion of modern design. Sornay's commitment to geometric stylization and the rationalization of furniture production made his pieces timeless yet revolutionary.
Educated at Lyon's esteemed School of Fine Arts, Sornay's furniture designs are characterized by clean, modern lines and detailed with his signature brass cloutage. His works, including the distinguished bookcases from the 1930s, exemplify the seamless blend of functionality and aesthetic appeal. Rather than following the trend to move to Paris, Sornay chose to remain in Lyon, fostering a unique identity in the design world.
Collectors and experts in art and antiques revere Sornay's furniture for its elegance and historical value. His pieces are not only functional but also serve as a testament to the Art Deco era's stylistic innovation. To discover more about André Sornay's legacy and to receive updates on available pieces, sign up for our exclusive newsletter.