Nat Matthews, Sculptured Coffee Table (FURNITURE 2025)

Photos:

Nat Matthews

Country

Australia

This piece is both a functional coffee table and a statement sculpture. The design for the base of the coffee table was an exercise in curves, beginning as a rough 2-D sketch and growing to a 3d sculpture while adding a sense of movement. Materials were 100% recycled apart from he glass top: On a rainy day at a car-boot market I found a stack of mystery veneer half sitting in a puddle under a pile of junk. After cleaning up, it turned out to be maple, with it's warm, honey-toned grain. The substrate is plywood discarded from a local cabinet shop. 19 layers of plywood were individually shaped then sculpted to form the final shape. The clear glass top hovers above, its gently curved geometric shape providing a refined visual balance. The transparency of the glass allows an unobstructed view of the base below. Solid brass inserts provide a subtle touch of contrast and sophistication, serving both structural and aesthetic functions.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.