Items Similar to Stainless Steel 'Luar' Op Art Dining Table by Ross Littell for ICF
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11
Stainless Steel 'Luar' Op Art Dining Table by Ross Littell for ICF
About the Item
Extremely rare and beautiful, "Luar" dining table designed by Ross Littell for ICF, De Padova, Italy in 1972. This is a truly wonderful example of art functioning as table.
The Luar dining table with the original and wonderful, stainless steel, op art top has never been reissued and is by far the rarest of the entire range of 'Luar' tables. This is a truly wonderful design which is very rarely seen.
The word "LUAR" means moonlight in Portuguese and perfectly captures the mood and quality of the light reflected from the table's surface.
The table's surface is made up of 50, brushed finish, stainless steel tiles. The individual steel tiles vary in both the angle and depth of their brushed finish resulting in a stunning interplay of light reflection and refraction creating a beautiful optical "shimmering" effect. This, the largest of the 'Luar' series of tables and illustrates this beautiful effect to its absolute optimum.
Ross Littell was living in Italy in the early 1970s and here you can clearly see the influence of master Italian artist Getulio Alviani. Alviani was best known for his "Vibrating Texture Surfaces" sculptures finished in steel and aluminum . Please see image 9 for photo of Alviani's "superficia testura vibratile" from 1964. As Argan wrote: "These works -in which the artist's operation induces particular effects of luminous reflection and refraction -are both works of art in the usual sense of the term and promoters of visual experience.
The steel grid motif also clearly shows the influence of the American minimalists such as Carl Andre. Please see image 10 for photo of Andre's "weathering piece" from 1970. Andre was famous for his sculptures made of ordinary Industrial materials which are arranged directly on the floor in simple linear arrangements or grids. By reducing sculpture to its most basic elements and re-orientating it from the vertical to the horizontal plane, Andre helped to redefine the possibilities of sculpture for a whole generation of artists.
Exploring his own fascination with geometry, nature and motion, Littell experimented with making his own large-scale incised metal wall hangings that he called luminars, the table name "LUAR" clearly also references the influence of these wall hangings on the design of this table.
Literature: Casa Vogue, issue November-December 1972,page 134 (photographed by famous architectural and design photographer Aldo Ballo). The article adds that the price varied according to size and height and confirms the material as stainless steel.
"Repertorio 1950-80", page 367, G. Gramigna, Mondadori, 1985,
(please see image 2 ) ,illustrates the three coffee table variants that were also produced.
Biography: Ross Littell (1924-2000) was an American textile designer, artist and furniture designer. Littell's characteristic designs were practical, purposeful and fun. ''The New Furniture'' collection, with its combination of angularity and luxury in Belgian marble, shiny chrome and woven white leather straps that he designed with William Katavolos and Douglas Kelley for the Laverne Company in 1952, is now considered an important collectible from the period. The sling-leather and chrome-frame T-Chair from that series is in the permanent design collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Ross Franklin Littell was born on July 14, 1924, in Los Angeles. After military service, he received a degree in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute in New York. In 1949, when he was 25, he won an award from the American Institute of Decorators for a low coffee table on tubular steel legs with a top made of birch dowls strung together inside a gumwood frame with handles.
Littell's work quickly attracted the attention of such prominent manufacturers as Knoll and Herman Miller, for whom he worked extensively in the 1950's and 60's. In the 1960s he introduced the ‘graphic look’ into textiles by composing textile patterns, consisting of individual lines creating infinite geometrical figures. His patterns are also renowned for the way they combine light and shade to create the graphical-optical illusion of being three-dimensional. He moved to Copenhagen in 1960 and then to Italy, where he also worked on textile and furniture designs for prominent European manufacturers, among them Unika Vaev in Denmark and ICF DePadova in Italy.
Exploring his fascination with geometry, nature and motion, he experimented with making large-scale incised metal wall hangings that he called luminars. He also developed innovative fabric patterns based on the play of arithmetical combinations and a sense of rhythmic movement.
Littell continued to present new furniture and textile designs while expanding his interests to designing art, carpets and tiles for corporate settings. Le Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Montreal included his textile work in the exhibition ''Design: What Modern Was, 1935-65'' in 1991 at the I.B.M. Gallery in New York.
- Creator:Ross Littell (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.35 in (72 cm)Width: 74.81 in (190 cm)Depth: 39.38 in (100 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1972
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very nice original condition, condition report on request.
- Seller Location:bergen op zoom, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU93019637601
About the Seller
4.9
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 1999
1stDibs seller since 2012
367 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: bergen op zoom, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Golden Burlwood Dining table or Desk Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, 1980sBy Giovanni Offredi, SaporitiLocated in bergen op zoom, NLItalian top quality manufactured desk or dining table in beautiful golden Burlwood Most like produced by Saporiti but no maker marks on this table/desk It has the characteristi...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsChrome, Steel
- Walnut & Mohair Dining Set by Pier Luigi Colli for Fratelli Marelli, Italy, 1950By Pier Luigi Colli, Fratelli MarelliLocated in bergen op zoom, NLStunning walnut dining table and six matching dining chairs by Pier Luigi Colli, handmade by the famed 'Fratelli Marelli' atelier in Cantu, Italy circa 1950. The dining table is ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Brutalist Nesting Tables Belgium 1970s Solid Steel and Ceramic Art Work TilesLocated in bergen op zoom, NLA set of nesting tables in a Brutalist Belgian 1970s style The frames are made of solid steel and the tops all have ceramic artwork tiles with geometric symbols imbedded in concr...Category
Vintage 1960s Belgian Brutalist Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
MaterialsConcrete, Steel
- Rare table lamp by H. Fillekes for Artiforte, The NetherlandsBy Artifort, H. FillekesLocated in bergen op zoom, NLA top quality manufactured desk lamp by Dutch designer H. Fillekes who worked for Rotterdam based lighting company Artiforte A nickel plated sculptured tripod base holds a grey e...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Table Lamps
MaterialsNickel, Brass
- Artisan Handmade Glass Table Lamp by Toni Zuccheri for VeArt Italy 1970'sBy Toni Zuccheri, VeArtLocated in bergen op zoom, NL1970's Table lamp by Toni Zuccheri for VeArt Italy Artisan made Venetian Murano glass in transparent and white on a chrome plated base The lamp has a spherical glass body with twe...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- Yellow Pop Art Racing Bicycle Wall or Table Lamp by Zicoli, Italy, 1970'sBy ZicoliLocated in bergen op zoom, NLA fun statement on your wall or desk in the form of this 1970's Pop art racing bicycle by Italian lighting company Zicoli Yellow steel frame and opal...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
You May Also Like
- Dining Table by Ross Littell for ICF De Padova in Stainless Grey, 1970sBy Ross Littell, ICF De PadovaLocated in Milan, ITDesigned by Ross Littell for ICF De Padova in 1970s, this Model "Luar" table perfectly matches aesthetics and function. With its sleek design and peculiar metallic check top, this it...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Tables
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Ross Littell Stainless Steel ''Luar'' Coffee Table for Icf De Padova, Italy 1974By ICF De Padova, Ross LittellLocated in Chiavari, LiguriaA minimalistic square Luar coffee table designed by Ross Littel for ICF-De Padova (Italy). This side table is made of steel, wood and aluminium and stands out for its essential style...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsAluminum, Steel
- Steel Chromed and Glass Coffee Table Luar by Ross Littell for ICF 70sBy Ross Littell, ICF De PadovaLocated in Padova, ITLarge coffee table designed by Ross Littell for ICF DePadova. Steel chromed frame. The table top is made of a 2 cm thick glass, original of that time. Its clean lines, with its very austere geometric shape typical of Littell's design, make this table adaptable...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Ross Littell 'Luar' Knoll Design ICF Chrome Glass Coffee TableBy Knoll, Ross LittellLocated in Brescia, IT"LUAR" coffee table Ross Little for ICF 1970s Chrome steel frame Thickness glass: 2 cm Glass in perfect condiction.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMetal
- American Mid-Century Glass and Steel Luar Coffee Table by Ross Littell, 1970sBy Ross LittellLocated in MIlano, ITAmerican mid-century glass and steel Luar coffee table by Ross Littell, 1970s. Luar coffee table with rectangular light blue glass top resting on the steel structure. The legs have...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsSteel
- Ross Littel 'Luar' Coffee Table in Glass and Metal for Icf Padova, Italy 1970'sBy Ross Littell, ICF De PadovaLocated in Amsterdam, NLRoss F. Littell (July 14, 1924 - April 17, 2000) was an American textile and furniture designer known for his practical, innovative, and minimalist style as part of the Good Design m...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Vintage Texture Brushes
Miller Aluminum Chair Leather
Vogue Vintage Furniture
Leather Dining Room Chair Tubular
Used Furniture In Montreal
Tubular Steel Light
Vintage Coffee Table With Handles
1950s Steel Dining Chair
Leather Top Table Chrome
Industrial Metal Dining Room Chairs
In Laverne Table
Mid Century Tubular Chrome Dining Chairs
American Retro Dining Table And Chairs
Dining Table And Chairs For 10
Chrome Tubular Dining Table
Franklin Used Furniture
Important Marble Dining Table
Herman Miller Light