Baobab Desk by Philippe Starck for Vitra, 2000s
About the Item
- Creator:Philippe Starck (Designer),Vitra (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.35 in (72 cm)Width: 68.9 in (175 cm)Depth: 45.28 in (115 cm)
- Style:Futurist (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:c. 2000
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Brussels, BE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU9136239687202
Philippe Starck
A ubiquitous name in the world of contemporary architecture and design, Philippe Starck has created everything from hotel interiors and luxury yachts to toothbrushes and teakettles. Yet for every project in his diverse portfolio, Starck has maintained an instantly recognizable signature style: a look that is dynamic, sleek, fluid and witty.
The son of an aircraft engineer, Starck studied interior design at the École Nissim de Camondo in Paris. He started his design career in the 1970s decorating nightclubs in the city, and his reputation for spirited and original interiors earned him a commission in 1983 from French president François Mitterrand to design the private apartments of the Élysée Palace. Starck made his name internationally in 1988 with his design for the interiors of the Royalton Hotel in New York, a strikingly novel environment featuring jewel-toned carpeting and upholstery and furnishings with organically shaped cast-aluminum frames. He followed that up in 1990 with an equally impressive redesign of the Paramount Hotel in Manhattan, a project that featured over-scaled furniture as well as headboards that mimicked Old Masters paintings.
Like their designer, furniture pieces by Starck seem to enjoy attention. Designs such as the wedge-shaped J Series club chair; the sweeping molded-mahogany Costes chair; the provocative Ara table lamp; or the sinuous WW stool never fail to raise eyebrows. Other Starck pieces make winking postmodern references to historical designs. His polycarbonate Louis Ghost armchair puts a new twist on Louis XVI furniture; his Out-In chair offers a futuristic take on the classic English high-back chair. But for all his flair, Starck maintains a populist vision of design. While one of his limited-edition Prince de Fribourg et Treyer armchairs might be priced at $7,000, a plastic Starck chair for the Italian firm Kartell is available for around $250. As you will see on 1stDibs, Philippe Starck’s furniture makes a bold statement — and it can add a welcome bit of humor to even the most traditional decor.
Vitra
Design house Vitra has garnered international recognition for more than 70 years — the Swiss family-owned furniture company has outfitted public spaces as well as residential properties and offices worldwide. It has been a proponent of modernist design since the 1950s. While the brand is heralded for its collaborations with mid-century modern icons such as Verner Panton, Charles and Ray Eames, Alexander Girard and others, Vitra’s German campus is also home to buildings designed by legendary architects Zaha Hadid and Frank Gehry. Among them is the Vitra Design Museum, an independent cultural institution that displays two centuries of design today.
Vitra was established in Weil Am Rhein, Germany, in 1950 by husband and wife team Willi and Erika Fehlbaum. On a trip to New York several years later, Willi Fehlbaum encountered the work of design polymaths Ray and Charles Eames in a furniture store and immediately knew that he had found his bliss.
In 1957, Vitra entered into a licensing agreement with Herman Miller, which saw the company producing designs by George Nelson, the Eameses and others. Later, Vitra partnered with Verner Panton and created the Panton chair, which was the first chair ever crafted from a single piece of molded plastic (it was also the first piece to be independently developed by Vitra). After 27 years of establishing the Vitra brand, the Fehlbaums passed control to their two sons, Rolf and Raymond Fehlbaum.
When a fire destroyed the factory in 1981, the brothers developed the Vitra Factory Campus, subsequently taking the opportunity to redirect the architectural landscape of the company. They created a masterplan with Nicholas Grimshaw, and together they erected four buildings in just a few short years.
In 1988, with the passing of Ray Eames and the disbandment of the Los Angeles Eames office, Rolf and Raymond acquired the furniture design portion of her estate, including the Eames prototypes and experimental models, housed today in the Vitra Design Museum.
Rolf and Roy opened the Vitra Design Museum in 1989. This began a period rich with design relationships, including collaborations with Antonio Citterio, Jasper Morrison, Maarten van Severen, Philippe Starck, Alberto Meda and others.
In 2012, leadership passed to Nora, the third generation of the Fehlbaums. Nora Fehlbaum has, like her grandparents, expanded the company and brought it into the 21st century with the acquisition of Finnish furniture manufacturer Artek. Nora has turned the company’s focus to sustainability yet still maintains its international and cultural relevance legacy.
Find a collection of Vitra lounge chairs, tables, side chairs, sofas and other furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Etterbeek, Belgium
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Mid-Century Modern glass desk by Tosi, Italy 1960'Located in Brussels, BEItalian desk by Tosi, distinguished by its two glass panels adorned with elegant brass accents. The drawers give the impression of being suspended, contributing "airy design". This...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsGlass, Wood
- Scandinavian modern desk, 1960sLocated in Brussels, BEScandinavian rosewood desk dating back to 1960, showcasing a minimalist design with straight lines. On the top, the workspace is covered with leather. Very good condition. Do not h...Category
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Jorge Zalszupin Directors desk, Brazil 1960sBy Jorge Zalszupin, L’AtelierLocated in Brussels, BEIn 1960, Jorge Zalszupin designed and manufactured this large desk as part of the Componivel Series at his own company, L’ Atelier, located in Brazil. Its outer framing runs along th...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Desk Glass lamp by lumenform, 1970sBy LumenformLocated in Brussels, BEMinimalist XL glass desk lamp with a light source encircled by stainless steel, edited by Lumenform in the 1970s, represents a quintessential blend of modern design and functional e...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Desk by Jules Wabbes, Belgium 1960'By Jules Wabbes, Mobilier UniverselLocated in Brussels, BEDesk designed by Jules Wabbes and manufactured by Mobilier Universel in the 1960s, holds a significant place in the history of Belgian furniture design. Constructed with a black stee...Category
Vintage 1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsMetal
- Mid-Century desk by Peter Løvig Nielsen, 1960sBy Peter Løvig Nielsen, Hedensted MøbelfabrikLocated in Brussels, BEMid-Century teak desk by Peter Løvig Nielsen, crafted in 1967 by Hedensted Møbelfabrik, Denmark. This double-faced desk, featuring a minimalist design and warm teak wood construction...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsTeak
- Baobab Desk by Philippe Starck for Vitra, 2000sBy Philippe Starck, VitraLocated in RADOMSKO, PLFunction The BaObab desk, designed by Philippe Starck for Vitra, is ideal for computer-based and paper work. Constructed as a single piece, it is designed ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Futurist Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsPlastic
- Organic Orange Fiberglass "BAOBAB" Style Desk Attributed To Philippe StarckBy Philippe StarckLocated in Monrovia, CAOrganic Orange Fiberglass "BAOBAB" Style Desk Attributed To Philippe Starck. This Organic Freeform Fiberglass Design Is Often Attributed To The Famous Designer. This Beautiful Desk I...Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsFiberglass
- Philippe Starck Square Mahogany Dining Table M 'Serie Lang' for Driade AlephBy Driade, Philippe StarckLocated in Hanover, MAA stealth bomber-like sleek square book-matched ribbon mahogany veneer top dining table over four sharply angled polished cast aluminum legs, each having the signature and manufacturer's mark: Aleph by Starck. Designed by Philippe Starck in 1987 for Aleph France: a division of Driade, from the limited series Lang...Category
Late 20th Century French Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsAluminum
- Segmented Base Conference Table by Charles Eames for VitraBy Charles Eames, VitraLocated in Dronten, NLLarge Charles & Ray Eames Segmented Base conference table made by Vitra in 2001. Beautiful beech book matched veneer one piece tabletop, marked with production date label. The base m...Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsAluminum, Chrome
- Jean Prouvé Compas Direction Desk in Natural Oak and Black Metal for VitraBy Jean Prouvé, VitraLocated in Glendale, CAJean Prouvé Compas Direction desk in natural oak and black metal for Vitra. Originally designed in 1953, Prouvé's iconic desk is based the design on t...Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writin...
MaterialsSteel, Metal
- Desk Console Table Wood Metal and Leather by Gervasoni. Italy, 2000sBy GervasoniLocated in SAINT-OUEN, FRHigh manufacturing writing desk or console table in zebrano wood, metal and leather by the italian design manufacture Gervasoni. 2 drawers with a slow sliding high quality system. In...Category
Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal