Giuseppe Scapinelli side table made in Brazil 1950

Giuseppe Scapinelli

Italy 1891 – Brazil 1982
Designer, artist

A highly rare and elegant side table designed by Brazilian-Italian designer Giuseppe Scapinelli in the 1950s, this piece is a striking example of mid-century Brazilian design infused with Italian modernist sensibility. With its bold sculptural form and thoughtful construction, the table stands as a testament to Scapinelli’s distinctive approach to design; organic, refined, and deeply architectural.

The table features four solid caviuna wood legs, each shaped with an exquisite organic curvature that feels both sculptural and balanced. Their warm honey-toned grain adds richness and visual softness, characteristic of fine caviuna wood. These four identical legs are symmetrically arranged and converge at the center, held together by an ingenious and visually captivating solid brass connector in the shape of a clover.

This brass element, clover-shaped and mirrored with a counterpart screwed below, serves not only as the structural core of the piece, ensuring stability and cohesion, but also as a deliberate aesthetic flourish. Far from being a hidden mechanism, the connector becomes a defining visual feature. It gives the impression that the table is adorned with a piece of jewelry, elevating it from a simple piece of furniture to a sculptural statement.

The clear round glass top rests gracefully above the base, allowing unobstructed views of the intricate interplay between the organic wooden legs and the central brass detail. This transparency enhances the table’s lightness and ensures its sculptural base is appreciated from all angles.

The table is in good original condition with only one professionally repaired leg, a subtle restoration that remains virtually invisible as it sits behind the brass connector. The integrity and visual harmony of the piece remain fully intact.

This table is an outstanding example of Giuseppe Scapinelli’s ability to blend structural innovation with elegant form. The Italian influence in his work is evident, in the careful proportioning, in the sculptural play of form and function, and in the refined material choices. A unique and rare collectible, this side table embodies the golden age of Brazilian design and the cross-cultural richness of its most visionary creators.

• Good condition
• 1 Leg with a professional repair, visible on the pictures