Michel Mangematin and Roger Bruny

MICHEL MANGEMATIN (France, 1928-2012) and ROGER BRUNY
Coffee table, c.1960.
Brass and glass top.
Measurements: 34 x 168 x 59 cm.
Coffee table designed by Michel Mangematin in the 1960s. It is an iconic work of French design of the mid-twentieth century, where sculpture and functionality merge into the same object. Made of brass, the structure adopts a star-shaped form built from two interlocking "X" shapes, creating a solid but visually light base. The metal combines polished surfaces on the edges with a darker patina on the body, creating an elegant contrast. A thick oval glass tabletop rests on this base, bringing lightness and transparency to the whole, balancing the strength of the bronze.
The result is a table of great sculptural presence, conceived not only as a functional element, but also as a decorative centerpiece. Its minimalist, clean and timeless aesthetic reflects the spirit of modern French design, where the essential form and the nobility of the materials are the protagonists.
Mangematin, an architect and designer of very limited production, was trained in the workshops of key figures such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, an influence that can be perceived in the structural clarity and geometric rigor of his designs.