Item Description
A refined side table by Aldo Tura, the Milanese designer celebrated for his sensuous use of lacquered goatskin and for bringing a sophisticated, tactile glamour to Italian interiors in the postwar decades. Made in the 1950s, it shows the qualities that made Tura a favourite of designers and collectors: exceptional craftsmanship, a love of rich materials and an unmistakably Italian sense of elegance. The rectangular top, with softly rounded corners, is covered in goatskin parchment in a warm cream tone with golden undertones. The skin is applied by hand and finished in layers of lacquer, giving it a smooth, lustrous surface with a subtle depth and sheen. The natural variations in the skin give the piece a quiet, organic character that no printed or synthetic finish can match. The top is raised on four slender brass legs, each crowned and finished with finely cast neoclassical ornament, with a feather-like chevron pattern and rosettes that add a jewel-like detail. An X-shaped stretcher joins the legs and is centred with a small brass finial, giving the table a light, architectural frame. The brass has developed a gentle patina over the decades, adding a warm, luminous accent against the soft tones of the lacquered surface. Tura’s furniture bridges Italian modernism and the decorative tradition, and this side table is a fine example of the balance between restraint and luxury. It is compact and versatile, and works beside a sofa or an armchair, in a bedroom or hallway, or as an accent in a more eclectic composition. It will pair as easily with 1950s Italian design as with contemporary interiors seeking warmth and texture. Designer: Aldo Tura (Italian, 1909-1963) Period: 1950s Materials: Lacquered goatskin, brass, wood Dimensions: Height 48 cm (18.9 in), width 50 cm (19.7 in), depth 40 cm (15.7 in) Condition: Excellent vintage condition. Minor wear consistent with age and use. Brass with gentle patina. Markings: Original Aldo Tura label to underside. Provenance: Private collection, Italy.
