Pedro Miralles, "Poynton" Chair for Artespaña

PEDRO MIRALLES CLAVER (Valencia, 1955–1993) for Artespaña.
Postmodern “Poynton” chest of drawers from the Azimut series, 1989.
Burl wood veneer on oak. Two of the legs are made of green-patinated metal. Three drawers with black wooden handles.
Shows some minor wear.
Measurements: 73.5 x 45 x 81 cm.

Created by Pedro Miralles for Artespaña in 1989, the “Poynton” chest of drawers, part of the Azimut series, is one of the most representative pieces of late 20th-century Spanish postmodern design. Miralles, one of the great innovators of Spanish design, conceived furniture of great formal sophistication that blends historical references, influences from contemporary Italian design, and a distinct sculptural quality. In this piece, the richness of the burl veneer over oak is combined with the two front legs made of green-patinated metal, creating an elegant contrast of materials, while the asymmetrical silhouette, the top with rounded corners, and the small cylindrical black wooden handles reinforce its unique personality. Beyond its functionality, the chest of drawers stands as a true work of signature design, highly sought after by collectors for belonging to one of Artespaña’s most iconic series and for reflecting the peak of creativity in Spanish design during the 1980s.

Pedro Miralles was a Spanish industrial designer and architect associated with the Movida Madrileña. He was one of the leading Spanish designers of the late 20th century. He held a degree in architecture, having begun his studies in Valencia and completed them in Madrid. He met people connected to postmodern culture in the Spanish capital: architect Rafael Moneo, his university professor, and some of the leading figures of the Movida Madrileña movement, such as film director Pedro Almodóvar and fashion designer Jesús del Pozo. A year later, he held his first solo furniture exhibition in Valencia. As an industrial designer, he earned a master’s degree in 1987 from the prestigious Domus Academy in Milan. Since then, he has worked for Spanish, French, and Italian companies. Notable works include the Hakernar chair (1987); the Andrew Sisters chairs (1988); the Lyns chair (1989); the Compás Desk (1990), the Liquid Lamp (1991), and the Arabesque Chair (1992). He worked for Punt Mobles and Andreu World on the Eboli collection (1988); he served as art director at Ebanis, where he created the Maklas collection (1989)… in addition to his contributions to companies such as Muebles DO+CE and Arflex & Martínez Medina.