Ado Chale Furniture
Known to some as “the alchemist of high minerals,” Ado Chale uses semi-precious stones, metals and organic materials like fossilized sequoia and redwoods in his marvelous tables and decorative objects. Over the course of his long career, the prolific Belgian designer, sculptor and decorator turned a passion for mineralogy and love for the natural world into elegant, sculptural furniture.
Born Adolphe Pelsener in Brussels in 1928, the designer learned cabinetry from his woodworker father and trained in ironwork at a young age under local blacksmiths. During a trip to Germany in the late 1950s, he became enamored with minerals, and turned his attention to creating seating, tables and other furnishings with a range of unconventional materials.
At the beginning of the 1960s, Pelsener changed his name to Ado Chale and opened a gallery in Brussels with his wife, a gemologist named Huguette Schaal. He began to create sophisticated mosaic inlays for tabletops using pyrite fragments. He worked with malachite and turquoise and also worked in metal, producing decorative objects and furniture like his iconic aluminum goutte d’eau coffee tables. Chale used epoxy resin to lend his tables an opulent sheen. His incorporation of exquisite natural materials like agate and petrified wood rendered his furniture unlike anything else. Chale’s work was soon in high demand — his clientele included the Belgian royal family and notable architects and designers like Alberto Pinto, Peter Marino and Jacques Grange.
In 1967, Chale’s designs were included in the Universal Exhibition in Montreal. In the decades since, he has continued to exhibit his work, including at the Bozar Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels in 2017.
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage Ado Chale tables, lighting and more.
14
to
1
10
4
14
14
14
10
2
14
4
9
3
5
4
8
4
4
4
4
14
14
5
5,004
3,996
2,432
2,234
Creator: Ado Chale
Ado Chale Early "Goutte d'Eau" Coffee Table in Bronze Signed, Belgium 1970s
By Ado Chale
Located in New York, NY
Ado Chale early rare "Goutte d'eau" oval coffee table with cast bronze table top on two sets of tripod black lacquered metal bases. This exquisite sculptural coffee table was made by...
Category
1970s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Steel
Huge Bronze sphere by Ado Chale mid modern century
By Ado Chale
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Ado Chale’s Bronze Sphere
This captivating bronze sphere, a testament to the artistic genius of Ado Chale, exudes timeless elegance. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, it ...
Category
1980s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Round Ado Chale Coffee Table, Oeil de Tigre, Belgium
By Ado Chale
Located in Brussels, BE
Round Ado Chale Coffee Table, Oeil de Tigre, Belgium
Category
1970s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Metal
Dining Table Goutte d'Eau by Ado Chale, Bronze, Belgium - Signed, 1970s
By Ado Chale
Located in Brussels, BE
Dining Table Goutte d'Eau by Ado Chale, Bronze, Belgium - Signed
Category
1970s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1980s Pastilles Illuminating Coffee table by Ado Chale
By Ado Chale
Located in Paris, FR
Ado Chale
‘‘Pastilles’’ illuminated coffee table, 1983
Mosaic of cornaline agate stones and resin
H. 35 x 150ø cm
Son of a woodworker, Ado Chale spent his formative years in the Belgian countryside and began working with metal at a young age, training initially as an iron-worker. In the 1950s, he began working with sheet metal on which he would test various methods of printing with enamel. However, it was on a trip to Germany that he found his true passion: mineralogy. Stones, precious and semi-precious as well as fossils and other natural minerals, became the focal point of his self-taught artistic path.
In 1961, Chale opened a mineral shop in Brussels where he showed his first creations featuring inclusions of marcasite, a dark stone he discovered on the beaches of the Cape of Blanc- Nez in northern France. By 1965, these creations had garnered significant attention and he began to widen the range of his creations. He began working with a great variety of stones and fossilized wood and developing new techniques, one of the most remarkable of which is featured in the ‘‘Pastilles’’ coffee table: the integration of light.
Noticing the transformation of certain stones when lit from a certain angle, Chale aimed to demonstrate the delicate details that remained hidden without this illumination. With this objective in mind, he began integrating lighting systems beneath the mosaic tops of his coffee tables, a rare technique of which Chale was a true pioneer. Beyond the striking effect achieved through the illumination of his tables, Chale’s mastery in mosaic resulted in truly unique tabletops - no two mosaics exactly the same.
Over the years, Chale’s creations found their way into some of the world’s most prestigious collections, both private and public, including those of the British royal family, the King of Saudi Arabia, Belgium’s King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola, and Queen Juliana of the Netherlands. 2014 marked the 50th anniversary of Ado Chale’s creation, an occasion celebrated with a landmark exhibition at the Galerie Yves Gastou.
Category
1980s Belgian Futurist Vintage Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Agate
20th Century Turquoise mosaic and lacquer table by Ado Châle
By Ado Chale
Located in Ramillies, BE
A turquoise mosaic coffee table designed and produced by Ado Chale, Brussels, Belgium, 1980s.
Wooden feets.
Category
1980s Belgian Modern Vintage Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Multi-gemstone
Circular high pedestal table by Ado Chale, Belgium
By Ado Chale
Located in Brussels, BE
High circular pedestal table, in black resin inlaid with bone marquetry arranged in 4 circles of abstract design.
The top resting on a large tripod foot with round sections, the rou...
Category
20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Resin
Ado Châle Table “Goutte D’eau” Bronze Belgium 1980 Signed
By Ado Chale
Located in Paris, FR
Ado châle table “goutte d’eau” bronze Belgium circa 1980 signed.
Iconic bronze table "goutte d'eau "by Belgium artist ado Chale. 3 feet in metal
Very good...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Ado Chale, "Goutte D’eau" Coffee Table, Aluminum, Black Metal, Belgium, 1970s
By Ado Chale
Located in High Point, NC
A "Goutte D’eau", aluminum and black metal coffee table designed and produced by Ado Chale, Brussels, Belgium, 1970s.
Category
1970s Belgian Modern Vintage Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Black Resin and Agate Coffee Table by Ado Chale
By Ado Chale
Located in London, GB
Black resin coffee table sitting on a wooden base with inset agate, designed by Ado Chale. Signed 'Chale' to the front with a ruby.
Ado Chale ...
Category
1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Resin
Mid-Century Modern Lamp in Petrifies Wood by Ado Chale
By Ado Chale
Located in London, GB
This fine quality brass table lamp with one light, which directs a beam onto a large slab of petrified wood. Signed to base. There were only around five of these examples ever made ...
Category
1970s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Petrified Wood
Ado Chale Circular Coffee Table Black Resin and Petrified Wood
By Ado Chale
Located in Brussels, BE
Ado Chale circular coffee table black resin and Arizona petrified wood, circa 1980, signed by the artist. Very good condition.
Category
1980s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Stone
Ado Chale Rare Coffee Table in Petrified Wood and Steel, Belgium, 1968
By Ado Chale
Located in New York, NY
Ado Chale (b. 1928)
An early and exceptional organic coffee table by Ado Chale. Chale’s iconic tripod base, in enameled steel, supports a gleaming cross section of petrified Arizo...
Category
1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Metal
Ado Chale Rare Fossilized Wood Top Table 1960s
By Ado Chale
Located in New York, NY
Extraordinary coffee table incorporating a polished fossilized wood top with jewel tones on a black metal base by Ado Chale, Belgium 1960's. There are...
Category
1960s Belgian Organic Modern Vintage Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Metal
Related Items
Danish Modern Extendable Dining Table w Two Leaves, c 1970s, Refinished, Signed
By Silkenborg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This beautiful and charming Danish Modern dining table comes with two leaves and can extend from 45 inches to 85 inches. Produced by CFC Silkeborg in Denmark during the 1970s (signed...
Category
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Aluminum Landscape Garden Orb Sphere Ball Sculpture
Located in Lafayette, IN
Large vintage cast-aluminum architectural landscape Sphere. Sphere is constructed of two 7/16" thick, cast-aluminum hemispheres that have been welded together and ground smooth. Sphe...
Category
1970s American Industrial Vintage Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Italian Travertine Coffee Table, 1980s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice Italian coffee table from the 80's, handcrafted out of travertine.
The plate and the base are made of beautiful travertine.
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Travertine
Mid-Century Modern Bronze Sculpture
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Bronze Sculpture
Category
20th Century Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Bronze
20th century Black lacquer architect design coffee table
Located in Malton, GB
This is a very stylish mid century large oval shaped coffee table. It is black lacquer which is thick and hard wearing. All original and the overall condition is very good with only ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Pine, Lacquer
Mid-Century Modern Green Marble & Bronze Fish Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Very unique vintage modern sculpture features a bronze fish swimming through a field of seaweed on a green marble base. This truly one of a ki...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Circular high pedestal table by Ado Chale, Belgium
By Ado Chale
Located in Brussels, BE
High circular pedestal table, in black resin inlaid with bone marquetry arranged in 4 circles of abstract design.
The top resting on a large tripod foot with round sections, the rou...
Category
20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Resin
Midcentury Dining Table by Dřevotvar, 1970s
By Drevotvar
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia
- Made of wood
- Good, original condition.
Category
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Bronze Cubist Sculpture, Signed F. Prosperi
Located in Houston, TX
Mid-Century Modern bronze cubist sculpture, signed F. Prosperi.
Beautifully executed Mid-Century Modern gilt bronze cubist sculpture, signed F. Prosperi. This beautifully executed bronze sculpture is mounted on a wooden base with an artist name...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Art Deco Dining Table, Belgium, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Walnut and brass Art Deco dining table, a true masterpiece custom-designed for a castle in Ghent, Belgium. Crafted with precision and elegance, this table seamlessly combines the ric...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Art Deco Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Lacquer Coffee Table or Low Table
Located in London, GB
An early 20th century Chinese lacquer coffee table or low table finely decorated with figures, pagodas, boats and birds on a black ground, within a border of russet red; raised on square legs with fretwork spandrels.
Category
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Hattakitkosol Somchai Bronze Bird Sculpture
By Hattakitkosol Somchai
Located in New York, NY
Stunning large bronze bird sculpture with wood base by Hattakitkosol Somchai.
Category
1980s Thai Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Previously Available Items
Ado Chale Oval Dining Table with Mosaic Top in Jade Wyoming
By Ado Chale
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ado Chale, dining table, jade Wyoming (nephrite jade), resin, lacquered steel, Belgium, 1970
Crafted in 1970 by the autodidact Belgian artist Ado Chale, this monumental table stands...
Category
1970s Belgian Post-Modern Vintage Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Jade, Steel
Large Ado Chale Coffee Table, Oeil de Tigre, Belgium
By Ado Chale
Located in Brussels, BE
Large Ado Chale Coffee Table, Oeil de Tigre, Belgium
Metalworker by training, Belgian designer Ado Chale discovered mineralogy during a journey in Germany in the 1950’s. He cultivated his passion alongside his wife, Huguette Schaal, who became a gemologist herself. Together they traveled the world in search of semi-precious stones and rare materials to create decorative items as well as exceptional and unique pieces of furniture.
More than a designer, Ado Chale can also be designate as a skilled craftsman and alchemist, always researching and experimenting combinations of chemicals that would allow him to give shape to his ideas.
From Brussels to Montréal, from Paris to Tokyo, Ado Chale was invited to exhibit his works internationally and became an emblematic figure of the world of art and design. Chale's creations notoriously attracts a sophisticated clientele and is much appreciated by members of the aristocracy in Belgium and all over the world as well as by representatives of the Haute Couture such as Dior...
Category
1970s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Resin, Precious Stone
Table Lamp by Ado Chale, 1975, Belgium
By Ado Chale
Located in Brussels, BE
Ado Chale work puts naturalistic materials at the centre of his creation. The present lamp presents a petrified wood stone, rich in colors. Chale created the made to measure solid br...
Category
1970s Belgian Vintage Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Brass
Suite of four “vide poche”in bronze by Ado Chale mi
By Ado Chale
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Rare serie of 4 “vide poche”in casted bronze made in late seventies by famous Belgian designer Ado Chale .
Some patina and oxidation on the bronze.
It can of course be cleaned and ev...
Category
1970s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Backlit cocktail table by Ado Chale
By Ado Chale
Located in Brussels, BE
Backlit cocktail table by Ado Chale
Backlit cocktail table by Ado Chale.
Backlit table in resin decorated with half-moon mosaic of carnelian agate.
Black...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Agate, Carnelian
Mid-Century Modern Pepper Coffee Table by Ado Chale, Belgium, 1970s
By Ado Chale
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Pepper Coffee Table by Ado Chale, Belgium, 1970s.
Category
1970s Belgian Vintage Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Pepper Coffee Table by Ado Chale, Belgium, 1970s
By Ado Chale
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Pepper Coffee Table by Ado Chale , Belgium, 1970s
Signed.
Category
1970s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Wood
Ado Chale Peppercorn, Sculptural Dining Table, Belgium, 1990’s
By Ado Chale
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Dining table designed and produced by Ado Chale in his own workshop in Belgium in the 1990’s. Table leaf with rastered inlay of Madagascar peppercorns, finished with transparent epox...
Category
1990s Belgian Modern Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Metal
Agate relief by Ado Chale – Cast bronze coffee table
By Ado Chale
Located in Brussels, BE
Bronze coffee table resting on two black painted steel tripod legs.
The model named “agate relief” represents a molding of a resin table inlaid with agate produced by the artist.
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Goutte d’eau 'Teardrop' by Ado Chale, Pair of High Tables or Pedestal Tables
By Ado Chale
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of high tables in cast bronze of slightly different heights.
The top rests on a black painted steel tripod foot.
The model is named by the a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Goutte d’eau 'Teardorp' by Ado Chale, Cast Aluminum Coffee Table
By Ado Chale
Located in Brussels, BE
Large square “Goutte d’eau” coffee table with rounded corners.
The top rests on four tripod legs in black painted steel.
The model is named by the artist “Goutte d’eau” because it ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Set of Three Fossilized Arizona Sequoia Coffee Tables by Ado Chale
By Ado Chale
Located in Brussels, BE
Set of three tables in fossilized wood. The wood chosen here by the artist is Sequoia from Arizona.
Each slice of Sequoia rests on a black painted steel tripod foot of slightly diff...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Ado Chale Furniture
Materials
Wood
Ado Chale furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Ado Chale furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Ado Chale furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Ado Chale were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Jean Claude Dresse, Lova Creations, and Etienne Allemeersch. Prices for Ado Chale furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,943 and can go as high as $105,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $28,538.