Arturo Pani has been called the Jean Royère of Mexico. Like the adored French master of the mid-20th century, Pani won an upper-class clientele who appreciated the vivacity and exuberance he brought to interiors. His specialty was using new materials to reinterpret traditional stylings — the sensuous curves and arabesques of the Rococo; stately neoclassical motifs — for a modern context. Pani's work is a thing apart: at once theatrical and distinguished, playful and grand.
Pani was born to splendid settings. His father was Mexico’s ambassador to France, and both Pani and his brother Mario, a noted architect of the International style, would study at the prestigious École des Beaux Arts in Paris. Pani made his name in the late 1930s by designing lavish interiors that belied the austere facade of his brother’s new Hotel Reforma in Mexico City. Mexico’s affluent class welcomed Pani’s technique for juxtaposing Mario’s sleek modernist architectural envelope with voluptuous decor. His style became known as the “Acapulco look” in the 1930s, when Pani became the blossoming Pacific resort’s decorator of choice to the jet set. Pani’s own Acapulco villa would become a favorite backdrop for the society photographer Slim Aarons.
Though Pani frequently created furniture along the strict, geometric lines associated with mid-century modernism — and did, on occasion, produce pieces with wildly flowing futuristic lines — his signature designs were those that offered an idiosyncratic, spare-yet-sumptuous take on historical forms.
Pani’s favorite material was wrought iron, usually gilded. With it, he produced tables with elaborate sheaf-of-wheat bases, or scrolling baroque supports; chairs with frames made of iron rods bent to suggest the sinuous seatbacks and cabriole legs of Louis XV pieces; or — jumping a stylistic generation forward — designs with Louis XVI elements such as arrows and chevrons. Pani’s work has again become chic. As you will see on these pages, like few others, Arturo Pani had a true sense of drama. Virtually everything he designed is a showstopper.
Find vintage Arturo Pani coffee tables, armchairs, side tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
1950s STAR Wall Console Table Brass & Églomisé Arturo Pani Mexico
By Arturo Pani
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Mexican Modernism Wall Console Table Star by Arturo Pani Mexico 1950s Slightly curved in the front. Sculptural brass with original eglomise glass. The console is attached to the wal...
Brass
Arturo Pani Trestle Table
By Arturo Pani
Located in Chicago, IL
Arturo Pani Console Trestle Table, mahogany trestle table with brass escutcheons and glass top. Designed by Pani for a family residence in Lomas de Chapultepec, Mexico City, circa 19...
Brass
Arturo Pani Trestle Table
By Arturo Pani
Located in Chicago, IL
Arturo Pani Campaign style, mahogany trestle table with brass escutcheons with glass top. Designed by Pani for a family residence in Lomas de Chapultepec, Mexico City, circa 1960. Arturo Pani was one of the most significant figures working in design during the Mexican Miracle (1940-1970), a period of economic expansion marked by class tensions. While Mario, his architect brother, reconfigured Mexico City through the creation of vast social housing tracts and university projects, Arturo, son of the Ambassador to France, worked as decorator to Mexico’s most powerful classes and created the ‘Acapulco Style’ during that city’s golden age of Hollywood...
Brass
Carlo Enrico Rava, Console Table, Brass, Marble, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wall-mounted brass and marble console table designed by Carlo Enrico Rava, Italy, c. 1950s. Patina brass legs. Minor natural imperfections in marble. Overall Dimensions (inches)...
Marble, Brass
Moveis Teperman, Console Table, Wood, Brass, Brazil, 1950s
By Móveis Teperman
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and brass console table produced by Moveis Teperman, Brazil, c. 1950s. Patina brass drawer knobs. Refinished with minor imperfections. Overall Dimensions (inches): 35.15"H ...
Brass
Walnut Veneer Waterfall Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Our classic Waterfall table has been built with a walnut veneer and finished with a clear matte lacquer. Size finish are customizable. Measurements: ...
Walnut
$4,644 / item
H 31.5 in W 70.87 in D 21.66 in
Console Table, High Gloss Laminate & Brass Details, Burgundy - L
By Jover + Valls
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
Julieta Collection. Console Table with High Gloss Top, Brass Tape Framed, Black Powder Coating Conical Legs with Brass End Introducing the stunning console table with black powder...
Brass
Italian Style Serving/Console Table
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Custom built Italian style three-drawer serving/console table. Reference: 5518 Dimensions 72.5 inches (184 cms) wide 17 inches (43 cms) deep 33 inches (84 cms) high.
Pine
$1,319
H 20.08 in W 28.75 in D 9.85 in
Mid-Century Brass and Marble Top Floating Wall Console Table, 1950s, Italy
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Mid-Century Brass and Marble Top Floating Wall Console Table, 1950s, Ita Wear consistent with age and use. There are some cracks at the end of the marble, Appears in the photos. Me...
Marble, Brass
$9,800
H 34.75 in W 47.25 in D 12.25 in
Brazilian Designer, Console Table, Rosewood, Brass, Brazil, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A rosewood console table designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 34.75"H x 47.25"W x 12.25"D All items ship from High Point, North Carolina.
Brass
Italian Designer, Console Table, Wood, Brass, Glass, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood, stained glass and brass console table designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 29.0"H x 47.25"W x 10.0"D All items ship from High Point, North...
Brass
Arturo Pani Style Iron and Brass Round Dining Table
By Arturo Pani
Located in Hanover, MA
Vintage modernist five tapered leg round garden table made of patinated cast and forged iron with brass sabots and embellishments and a 60 inch round glass top 3/4 inch thick. Space...
Brass, Wrought Iron
Edward Wormley, Console Table, Walnut, Brass, USA, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut and brass console table designed by Edward Wormley and produced by Dunbar, Berne, Indiana, USA, 1950s. Dimensions: 27.375” H x 59.875” W x 21.875” D
Brass
Italian Designer, Console Table, Wood, Brass, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wall-mounted mixed wood and brass console table designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. Signature on underside of drawers Overall Dimensions (inches): 36.0"H x 47.5"W x 10.5"D ...
Brass
Mexican Modernist Cocktail Table by Arturo Pani
By Arturo Pani
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Made in Mexico, circa 1950s, designed by Arturo Pani, the table has original mirror and glass, can be delivered polished and can be disassembled for better shipping. We have found so...
Brass
1950s Arturo Pani Console Table Bronze & Travertine Mexico City
By Arturo Pani
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Arturo Pani Console Table Mexico City Sculptural Bronze Gilt Iron Travertine with beveled edge 28 h x 30 w 12.25 d Original preowned vintage...
Travertine, Bronze, Gold, Iron
Arturo Pani Sculptural Console Table
By Arturo Pani, Talleres Chacon
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a unique console table with sculptural design by Arturo Pani. Constructed with solid brass and custom made glass. The console is mounted into the wall gi...
Brass, Bronze
Arturo Pani Table
By Arturo Pani
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Parchment leather on wood top mounted in forged iron base. Legs have a tapered angled and original brass feet. The base has a beautiful neoclassical "X" base design. The joints...
Parchment Paper