Otto Zapf

OTTO ZAPF (Roßbach, Czechoslovakia, 1931 – Königstein im Taunus, Germany, 2018).
“Column” (“Säulentisch”) dining table, designed in 1967.
Resin-reinforced fiberglass, ivory white finish.
In good condition, with slight signs of use and surface marks.
Measurements: 72.5 x Ø 126 cm.

Designed in 1967, the “Column” table is one of the most representative creations from Otto Zapf’s experimental period and a prominent example of German design linked to the Space Age aesthetic. Made of fiberglass, it features a wide circular tabletop supported by a single central column, whose organic profile widens toward the top and the base, creating a continuous, sculptural silhouette. The use of this material allowed the designer to explore new structural possibilities, moving away from right angles and embracing fluid forms. Its ivory-white finish accentuates the purity of its lines and its futuristic aesthetic. The model was initially produced in limited quantities, which contributes to its appeal within the realm of 1960s designer furniture.

Otto Zapf was one of the pioneers of postwar German industrial design, particularly renowned for his research into synthetic materials and modular furniture systems. In 1959, he founded the firm Vitsœ + Zapf with Niels Wiese Vitsœ, which was associated with Dieter Rams’s innovative designs. In 1967, he established his own studio, beginning a period of experimentation with fiberglass that led to models such as “Column” and “Illuminated Column.” He later collaborated with major manufacturers such as Knoll, COR, and B&B Italia. In 1972, he received the “Gute Form” Federal Prize, and in 2020, the Stadtmuseum in Eschborn dedicated a retrospective exhibition to him.