Items Similar to One-Off American Studio Surreal Console Table in Maple by Andrew J Willner, 1976
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11
One-Off American Studio Surreal Console Table in Maple by Andrew J Willner, 1976
About the Item
A one-off, fantastical table by American craftsman, Andrew J Willner, executed in rare, spalted wormy maple, its five individual sections sculpted by hand and constructed with pegged mortise and tenon joinery. A dramatic pair of legs that are an amalgam of human and avian forms supports a top surface riddled with worm holes and whose outline serves as reference to a bird's beak and plumage. Made as a gift for Willner's parents, the underside bears a carved inscription: "'Mortgage Table' Thanks mom and dad, Love Andy & Diana, AJW April 76". A quintessential example of 1970s fantasy studio furniture. Well-preserved, in all original condition.
Literature: Meilach, D. Z. (1975). Creating modern furniture (pp. 288–289). New York: Crown Publishers.
*width of base = 86 inches
*depth of base = 17 inches
Andrew Willner is a modern polymath of sorts whose CV credits include those of boat builder, environmentalist, permaculturist, city planner, photographer, and public speaker in addition to master woodworker. He received his earliest training in woodworking in the basement wood shop of his grandfather who ran a lumber business selling reclaimed wood from construction sites.
He earned his Bachelor degree in City Planning at the University of Virginia, did his graduate study in furniture design and sculpture under Wendell Castle student, Alan Lazarus, at Virginia Commonwealth University in 1968 and 1969, and became the first woodworking artist in residence at then-experimental and now-renowned Peters Valley School of Crafts in Layton, New Jersey upon its founding in 1970. It was at Peters Valley that Willner first met Emil Milan who was to become his mentor and life-long friend. Examples of Willner’s work are included in the 2018 monograph, Emil Milan: Mid Century Master.
In the late 1970s, Willner met Vladimir Kagan at the Rhinebeck Craft Fair - - the chance encounter led to Kagan commissioning a chair design from Willner, to be available in several variations, for a show at Kagan’s NYC gallery. Willner used one of his early, original, bent and laminated designs for the commission and over the course of a year or so, a limited number of examples were sold through the Kagan showroom under the Kagan name with Willner credited as the designer.
In 1980, Muppets’ genius, Jim Henson, purchased a whimsical three-legged table of Willner’s at a gallery which was subsequently displayed in the foyer of his “Henson Townhouse” on NYC’s Upper East Side, then home to the Muppet Workshop. Henson was so enchanted by Willner’s design that he commissioned four additional unique creations.
Throughout the period of 1973 to 1984, Willner’s company, Andrew Willner Designs, created sculpture and furniture for gallery shows and exhibitions, publicly and privately commissioned works, and did architectural woodwork which included the creation of dreamlike, nearly Dali-esque staircases and handrails. His creations were widely exhibited during these years and now reside in museums and private collections in both the United States and Europe.
- Creator:Andrew Willner (Artist)
- Dimensions:Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Width: 70 in (177.8 cm)Depth: 15 in (38.1 cm)
- Style:American Craftsman (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1976
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU882639123132
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 2009
1stDibs seller since 2009
114 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Brooklyn, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
More From This SellerView All
- American Studio Movement Sculptural Dragonfly Table by Andrew J Willner, 1973By Andrew WillnerLocated in Brooklyn, NYA fantastical table in the form of a dragonfly by American Studio craftsman, Andrew J Willner, executed in rare English brown oak, its eight individual sections sculpted by hand and constructed with pegged mortise and tenon joinery. Made during Willner’s tenure as wood artist in residence at Peters Valley School of Crafts, where he worked alongside Emil Milan and Karl Seemuller, this table is exceptionally realized and exemplifies Willner’s interest in the segmented forms of the natural world which became part of his signature fantastical style. Bears the artist’s carved initials and date to the underside, ‘AJW Sept. 73’. Well-preserved, likely refinished at some point. Literature: Meilach, D. Z. (1975). Creating modern furniture (pp. 288–289). New York: Crown Publishers. *depth of top = 17.5 inches *depth of base = 24 inches Andrew Willner is a modern polymath of sorts whose CV credits include those of boat builder, environmentalist, permaculturist, city planner, photographer, and public speaker in addition to master woodworker. He received his earliest training in woodworking in the basement wood shop of his grandfather who ran a lumber business selling reclaimed wood from construction sites. He earned his Bachelor degree in City Planning at the University of Virginia, did his graduate study in furniture design and sculpture under Wendell Castle student, Alan Lazarus, at Virginia Commonwealth University in 1968 and 1969, and became the first woodworking artist in residence at then-experimental and now-renowned Peters Valley School of Crafts in Layton, New Jersey upon its founding in 1970. It was at Peters Valley that Willner first met Emil Milan who was to become his mentor and life-long friend. Examples of Willner’s work are included in the 2018 monograph, Emil Milan: Mid Century Master. In the late 1970s, Willner met Vladimir Kagan at the Rhinebeck Craft Fair - - the chance encounter led to Kagan commissioning a chair design from Willner, to be available in several variations, for a show at Kagan’s NYC gallery. Willner used one of his early, original, bent and laminated designs for the commission and over the course of a year or so, a limited number of examples were sold through the Kagan showroom under the Kagan name with Willner credited as the designer. In 1980, Muppets’ genius, Jim Henson...Category
Vintage 1970s American American Craftsman Side Tables
MaterialsOak
- Wendell Castle Starfish Console Table in Polychromed and Stained Woods, 1995By Wendell CastleLocated in Brooklyn, NYAn exceptional console table by Wendell Castle (1932-2018), titled 'Voyage', executed in polychromed jelutong and mahogany with floating, fre...Category
1990s American American Craftsman Console Tables
MaterialsOther
- American Studio Live Edge Stool in Walnut and Maple Burl by Michael ElkanBy Michael ElkanLocated in Brooklyn, NYA counter-height stool executed in American black walnut and with a sculptural, free edge seat in maple burl by Oregon-based craftsman, Michael Elkan. Walnut has a warm, reddish hue ...Category
20th Century American American Craftsman Stools
MaterialsMaple, Walnut
- One-Off American Studio Craft Movement Modern Sofa in Black Walnut and Raw SilkLocated in Brooklyn, NYAn exceptional American Studio Craft sofa executed in black walnut and finished with a raw silk seat cushion, designed and built by Larry an...Category
20th Century American Modern Sofas
MaterialsSilk, Walnut
- American Studio Dovetailed Box in Walnut and Birds Eye MapleLocated in Brooklyn, NYA rectangular box in satin-finished walnut and bird's-eye maple with dovetailing to both body and lid, large wood hinges, and a spring-loaded button closure. Aside from what seem the...Category
20th Century American Organic Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsBirdseye Maple, Walnut
- Brooklyn-Barcelona Table by TJ VolonisBy TJ VolonisLocated in Brooklyn, NYTitle: Brooklyn-Barcelona Table Year: 2013 The Brooklyn-Barcelona console table is a graceful merger of styles and continents. The under-arch is d...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Industrial Console Tables
MaterialsMarble, Copper
You May Also Like
- American Studio Craft Artist, David N. Ebner's Console TableBy David N. EbnerLocated in Bellport, NYSuperb form and elegance in this Afromosia console table by American Studio Craft artist, David N. Ebner. Presently in Afromosia wood but can be or...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American American Craftsman Console Tables
MaterialsWood
- Wall Mounted Console Table by American Studio Craftsman David Ebner. 1998By David EbnerLocated in Bellport, NYA rare find in this exquisite wall mounted console table by Internationally renowned American Studio Craftsman, David Ebner. Inspired from the Art Nouveau period a piece that works ...Category
1990s American American Craftsman Console Tables
MaterialsWood
- Chara Console by Raka Studio x Hamdi Studio - Resin and Maple Wood TableBy Raka StudioLocated in Cape Girardeau, MOThe Chara Console is a wall-mounted console with a solid maple top. The clear resin, with a tint of smoke grey, has been set to create a seamless flow of design integrated with the t...Category
2010s Asian Organic Modern Console Tables
MaterialsResin, Epoxy Resin, Maple
- Column Console by Black Table Studio, Maple, REP by Tuleste FactoryBy BlackTable StudioLocated in New York, NYThe Console makes open spaces practical. This piece seems to unfold in ripples from its center. Despite its seamless appearance, it’s the most technically complex piece in this serie...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Credenzas
MaterialsWood, Maple
- Console Table in Rose Onyx, by Studio GlustinBy Glustin CreationLocated in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FRElegant console table in sculpted rose onyx and brass. Creation by Studio Glustin. France, 2019. (Pair available).Category
2010s French Mid-Century Modern Console Tables
MaterialsOnyx, Brass
- Gap Table' Console Table by Cometabolism StudioLocated in Beverly Hills, CAThe console itself contains the operating table and the base, which constitute the inherent experience of operation and use. Setting the console in the gap between the two bases allo...Category
2010s Asian Console Tables
MaterialsStainless Steel
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Early American Work Table
Museum Display Table
Vintage Craftsman Table
Early American Wood Tables
Long School Table
Bent Legs Table
April Table
Table With Bent Legs
Three Legged Table
Bear Table Base
Maple Tables Pair
Vintage Maple Table And Chairs
Sorting Table
Early American Maple Furniture
Three Legged Tables
Wood Dining Table Early American
Bear Side Table
Jims Used Furniture