Ceramic Tile
Oak Coffee Table
Frits Henningsen & Jens Thirslund
Denmark, 1950s

A rectangular coffee table with oak frame made by master cabinet maker Frits Henningsen and top-mounted with hand-painted tiles by Danish ceramicist, Jens Thirslund. 

As a prominent member of the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers Guild, Frits Henningsen's production was anchored in traditional, and exclusively handmade, designs. Unlike many of his contemporaries who moved toward industrial production, Henningsen's work instead brought a renewed expression to traditional design typologies, such as French and British furniture from the 17th century. 

With a simple oak frame and gently tapering legs, an array of almost opalescent tiles become the salient decorative element of this table and were designed by Jens Thirslund, a key designer at the renowned Kähler ceramic workshop. 

Deep maroons and purples, intersected by flashes of vivid cobalt blue combine to create an almost celestial colour-scape. Amidst these controlled clouds of colour, four hand-painted figures sit at the centre of the composition. Apart from being ornamentally successful, the tile top serves a functional purpose as a durable and heat resistant surface.

The lamp and  teapot styled with the table, can both be purchased on our website. 

Specifications:

Cabinetmaker: Frits Henningsen

Country of Origin: Denmark

Design Period: 1950-1960

Length: 116cm 

Height: 45cm 

Width: 53cm