Jordi Vilanova

JORDI VILANOVA I BOSCH (Barcelona, 1925–1998).
Coffee table, 1967.
Beech and walnut wood, leather, and brass.
In very good condition. Wood restored and leather replaced.
Measurements: 42.5 x 100 x 100 cm.

This coffee table belongs to one of Jordi Vilanova’s most representative periods, in which his admiration for Nordic design is combined with a highly personal approach to cabinetmaking. The piece integrates various functions within a refined geometric composition. The drawer unit, the open storage compartments, the square handles, and the circular leather inlay on the tabletop are all part of the same interplay of elementary forms. The combination of different woods adds richness to the surfaces without resorting to added ornamentation, while the careful balance between proportions, materials, and construction details reveals the importance the designer placed on both everyday use and the quality of craftsmanship.

Jordi Vilanova developed his own design language based on the precision of Nordic design, the Mediterranean tradition of craftsmanship, and the needs of modern living. Working independently since 1952, he played an active role in the renewal of Catalan design during the 1960s and 1970s and was associated with ADI-FAD and the La Cantonada collective. In 1964, he won a Silver Delta Award for his children’s stool, and several of his designs are part of the collection at the Museu del Disseny in Barcelona. His professional archive is preserved at the Disseny Hub Barcelona.