Pair of Black Lacquered Wrought Iron and Glass Side Tables, French Work

This remarkable pair of side tables represents one of the most striking expressions of French decorative ironwork from the post-war period: a black lacquered wrought iron base shaped into a bold composition of arcs, interwoven oval motifs, and curved structural elements that recall the great tradition of artistic ironwork cultivated in France by artists such as Gilbert Poillerat and Edgar Brandt. The thick square transparent glass tops hover above these sculptural bases with the clarity of water, allowing one to appreciate the metalwork from all angles. The composition navigates with remarkable assurance the tension between decorative exuberance and structural purpose. The semi-circular arc that forms the main support is counterbalanced by crossed oval elements—a recurring motif in French decorative ironwork of the 1940s and 1950s—while the whole retains a light and open quality despite its visual complexity. These tables held a prominent place in the interiors of the French avant-garde of the post-war period, adorning the apartments and villas of collectors keen to distinguish their decor with works of artisanal ambition. They naturally pair with the most assertive forms of mid-century furniture as well as the more streamlined lines of contemporary design. Offered as a well-matched pair in good vintage condition. The black lacquer is in good condition and the glass tops are present and intact.