Vico Magistretti – "Elena" side table for PIN / Metra, Italy, 1970s

This "Elena" side table, designed by Vico Magistretti for PIN / Metra in Italy, is a beautiful example of the restrained and intelligent design language that made Italian furniture from the seventies so timeless. The table is moulded in glossy black plastic with softly rounded corners and elegantly integrated legs, creating a surprisingly sculptural silhouette despite its modest dimensions. It works equally well as a side table, bedside table or pedestal for a favourite object. This is an original example, still carrying the moulded manufacturer's mark underneath with the model name, designer and patent information. The table remains structurally excellent. As expected from a piece that has been enjoyed for decades, the glossy surface shows noticeable scratches from use and there is one small heat mark, most likely caused by a cigarette placed next to an ashtray many years ago. These signs of age are reflected in the price and do not detract from its functionality. A compact piece of authentic Italian design by one of the great masters of twentieth-century furniture. Details. Designer: Vico Magistretti. Model: Elena. Manufacturer: PIN / Metra. Country: Italy. Period: 1970s. Material: moulded glossy black plastic. Dimensions: approx. 45 × 45 × 25 cm. Original manufacturer's mark moulded into the underside. Good vintage condition with visible scratches and a small heat mark.