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...
$8,194 / 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
Italian Brass and Chrome Center or Dining Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant Italian Brass and Chrome Center or Dining Table, Italy, circa 1960s. The table base measures 27.5"H x 35.25"W.
Metal
$16,627
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
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
$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
$9,501Sale 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
$1,200
H 29.5 in W 48 in D 48 in
Hollywood Regency Wrought Iron Dining Table Octagon Gilded Wood Rimmed Glass Top
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome wrought iron Hollywood Regency style dining table with a wonderful octagon shaped wood rimmed glass top. It is in fabulous condition. The iron base ...
Wrought Iron
$1,950Sale Price / item|40% Off
H 30 in Dm 36 in
Ralph Lauren Wrought Iron "Sheltering Sky" Round Indoor or Outdoor Table
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Plainview, NY
A timeless and quality Ralph Lauren " Sheltering Sky" wrought iron round table. Perfect for both indoor and outdoor, the stylish table feature...
Wrought Iron
$40,000 / item
H 30.71 in W 39.38 in D 86.62 in
Brass Tornado Square Center Dining Table by Zhoujie Zhang
By Zhang Zhoujie
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The brass collection is the first series of objects developed with Endless Forms, Zhoujie’s own digitalized fabrication system that generates an ever-changing family of objects. Wit...
Brass
Dining or Center Table in natural Oak by Tinatin Kilaberidze
By Tinatin Kilaberidze
Located in New York, NY
A stunning dining table by Tinatin Kilaberidze. Tinatin Kilaberidze who works with geometric forms chose this Pentagon shape for a dining table that can be used alone or as a pair t...
Wood
Large Elegant Restored Vintage Circular Dining or Center Table by McGuire
By McGuire
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exceptional restored large circular dining or center table by McGuire, circa 1980. Stout, heavy steel frame construction veneered in bamboo; leather wrapped detail in the iconic M...
Steel
$5,000 / item
H 34 in W 36 in D 13 in
Undulating 'Méandre' Wrought Iron and Glass Console by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Undulating blackened iron and glass console by DESIGN FRÈRES. These Méandre™ consoles from our exclusive DESIGN FRÈRES® line are handmade in our Los Angeles atelier by our skilled a...
Iron