Matthew Coutts, The Alchemist’s Table (FURNITURE 2025)

Photos:

Oddbjørn Aarstad

Country

Norway

The Alchemist’s table is an exploration into magic, wonder and transformation. The customers brief was for a magic dining table for 9 people, based around the Fibonacci spiral, without a place of power ie no “head of the table” This is by far the most ambitious project I’ve ever undertaken. It involved pretty much every technique in furniture making I have in my quiver, steam-bending, laminating, marquetry, hand shaping, hand-cut joinery, turning, gilding and various finishing techniques. The front leg, inspired by a bowing ballerina, invites us to the table, formed around a golden Fibonacci spiral, the center of which gives birth to a starburst of stunning masur birch. Spiralling up from the voluptuous rococo-esque back leg a ribbon of gold and ash finds its way to the light from a window in the apex of the room. I designed the chairs after I’d come up with the table. Somewhat reminiscent of some kind of celestial body or perhaps a cauldron, these were probably the most challenging to make. Each one has 4 steam bent and laminated components which are then carved by both power and hand tools, before aligning perfectly around a hollow wooden sphere to create a surprisingly comfortable chair. The piece is made in locally sourced Norwegian ash (freshly cut from a few different sawmills)with a bleached finish, masur birch veneers, and gold leaf. Upholstery is in a fabric from Norwegian wool. I’m incredibly grateful to the customers for entrusting me with this wonderful commission.

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