Artist and furniture creator André Dubreuil rejected the label "designer” and dismissed the notion of form over function. He’s on record as having said, "if we were merely functionalists we would still be sitting on rocks." Dubreuil's passion was to catch a person's attention and hold it — he did that with outwardly sculptural chairs, wrought iron tables and other furnishings.
Though his works serve their intended function quite well, Dubreuil intentionally masked their purpose in favor of producing pieces that bring delight to the beholder — as exemplified in his Spine chair, created in 1986. Arabesque lines bring form to his work by way of an almost lace-like structure in slender, curving metal table frames and chair legs. It's art that bears a resemblance to furniture.
Originally from Lyon, France, Dubreuil came from a wealthy pharmaceutical and medical research family. He had a classical upbringing, surrounded by ornate furniture and lavish decor, and so became accustomed to the finer things in life.
As a teenager, he moved to London to study drawing and drafting at the Inchbald School of Design. Dubreuil became a painter and worked as an antiques dealer before he fell in love with decorating. In 1981, he opened a workshop — alongside three colleagues, including British furniture designer Tom Dixon — creating decorative furniture from salvaged pieces of scrap metal and automotive parts.
Dubreuil drew on the work of French cabinetmaker André-Charles Boulle and Louis XV-era furnishings as well as French Art Deco and Emilé-Jacques Ruhlmann. He eventually produced a body of work in patinated steel, copper, marble and colored glass for clients including Louis Vuitton and Chanel that would be just as much at home in an art gallery as it would be in a parlor or dining room.
Dubreuil passed away in 2022, leaving behind a magnificent array of furnishings that invite admiration and uplift any space.
Find vintage André Dubreuil tables, seating and lighting on 1stDibs.
Unique Centre Table / Console in Wrought Iron and Glass by Andre Dubreuil, 1986
By André Dubreuil
Located in New York, NY
A unique, early, handmade piece by Andre Dubreuil. Handwrought iron frame with four inset hand blown glass balls supporting a serpentine hand painte...
Wrought Iron
Unique Handwrought Iron & Crystal Center or Dining Table by Andre Dubreuil, 1986
By André Dubreuil
Located in New York, NY
Unique, early, handmade, wrought iron and crystal center or dining table by Andre Dubreuil, 1986. Handwrought iron frame with four inset hand blown glass balls supporting a serpentine hand...
Custom Onyx Dining Center Table
By Mario Bellini, Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Absolutely stunning custom onyx table. The table was purchased from a Santa Barbara retirement estate of a wealthy JP Morgan bank Exec. This table was custom made in 1976 for the ...
Onyx
$9,570Sale Price|50% Off
H 31.89 in W 57.09 in D 57.09 in
Unique Black Lacquer and Brass Maison Jansen Dining Table, 1970s
By Maison Jansen
Located in Paris, IDF
A rare piece from Maison Jansen, this octagonal dining table was a commission by a private client. With its impeccable design, perfect proportions, and high-end materials like mother...
Brass
$8,299 / item
H 29.73 in Dm 55.12 in
Modern Maurizio Cattelan for Dilmos Round Dining Table Crude Iron Glass
By Maurizio Cattelan
Located in Milan, IT
Dining table designed by Maurizio Cattelan in 1991 as a gift for Dilmos. Composed of a glass top and a base in crude iron depicting the form of the "Cerberino", a mythologic three-headed creature that guards the gates of hell...
Iron
$16,840
H 29.53 in Dm 60.04 in
19th Century Irish Regency Centre / Dining Table By R. Strahan Of Dublin
By Robert Strahan
Located in Dublin, IE
A superb Irish Regency mahogany centre / dining table by Robert Strahan of Dublin, of circular form, the solid panel top , with reeded edge, turned cent...
Mahogany
Round Art Deco Style Dining or Center Table in Real Wood Veneer
Located in Ulm, DE
Art Deco style round dining table Macassar, high gloss lacquer Black lacquer Manufacture in the style of art deco, 2000s Dime...
Wood, Macassar
$7,177
H 29.14 in W 47.25 in D 47.25 in
1970s Italian 8-Seat Square White Carrera Marble Dining or Center Table
By Angelo Mangiarotti, Mario Bellini, Bernini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Monumental 1970s vintage Italian white Carrera marble dining table in Brutalist square format with single square leg, also in white Carrera...
Marble, Carrara Marble
Vladimir Kagan Lucite & Glass Dining or Center Table, c. 1970s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Modern 1970s Vladimir Kagan Lucite and chrome dining or center table. Tempered circular glass top with frosted circle detail rests atop a splayed lucite base bolted with chrome pegs. Light. Airy. Modern. Unlike wood or other solid tables, this Vladimir Kagan table doesn't clutter or weigh down a space. The table doesn't interrupt perspective or view and allows for pass through light. Perfect choice for smaller spaces - see through lucite and glass makes rooms look bigger. Only one of its kind available. Want to see more beautiful things? Scroll down below and click "View All From Seller" or favorite our shop to get your 1stDibs on our new inventory. Photographed and also currently available at our shop: Set of 12 Vladimir Kagan for Kagan-Dreyfuss steel dining chairs in Ivory Bouclé Set of ten...
Lucite, Glass
Midcentury Blue Top Dining or Center Table attr. to Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in Rome, IT
Rare midcentury round blue top dining or center table resting on four brass sabots legs.attribution to Gio Ponti. Similar tables were designed by Ponti for ...
Art Glass
Midcentury Blue Top Dining or Center Table attr. to Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in Rome, IT
Rare midcentury round blue top dining or center table resting on four brass sabots legs.attribution to Gio Ponti. Similar tables were designed by Ponti for the iconic Roman Hotel Par...
Art Glass
$4,250Sale Price|26% Off
H 29 in W 62.63 in D 42.75 in
Louis XVI Jansen Style Center or Dining Table Black Lacquer Steinway Finish
By Maison Jansen
Located in Stamford, CT
Louis XVI Jansen style center or dining table in a black lacquer Steinway piano finish. Part of our extensive collection of over forty dining tables and chair sets as seen on this si...
Wood
Striking Sculptural Octopus Gilt Bronze Center or Dining Table
Located in Rome, IT
Modern gilt bronze dining or center table in the shape of an octopus. The glass top can be custom-made on request. Dimensions of the sculpture is height 77 cm diameter 115 cm. Glas...
Bronze
1970s Sculptural Chrome Dining Or Center Table
By Pace Furniture Company
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Modern sleek and sculptural chrome 1970s tubular dining or center table. This table is simply stunning. The photographs really capture its beauty. Curved chrome supports reflect and ...
Chrome