Artistic, innovative and entrepreneurial, the self-taught creator Tom Dixon has been a contemporary design-world maverick for more than three decades. From his revolutionary art-meets-design projects of the 1980s and throughout his dynamic and influential career as a designer of furniture, housewares and interiors, the only consistent note has been change. Dixon’s chief fascination is exploring new materials and new ways of constructing things.
Dixon was restless even as a young man. He enjoyed ceramics and drawing in high school but later dropped out of the Chelsea School of Art in London. While repairing his motorcycle in 1983, Dixon learned how to weld and took to the craft. He began making what he has called semi-functional objects from scrap metal (sometime as performance art in a nightclub), then formed a furniture studio–cum–think tank called Creative Salvage. Amid the ritzy excess of the ’80s, Dixon — along with designers such as Tejo Remy and Ron Arad — forged a new, attention-getting aesthetic with furniture made from found materials.
In 1987, Dixon began working for the Italian furniture manufacturer Cappellini, which put his best-known design, the slender, sinuous S chair, into production, followed by such pieces as the Pylon chair (1992), a wire lattice that resembles electrical transmission towers. Starting in the 1990s, Dixon expanded his interests rapidly. He started a company to manufacture the stackable plastic Jack light; joined the housewares retailer Habitat as creative director; and breathed new life into Artek, the venerable Finnish maker that Alvar Aalto and his wife Aino helped cofound. Since 2002, Dixon has run his namesake company fabricating furnishings from novel materials like brass foil-clad wood and “vacuum-metalized” glass.
The hallmark of Dixon’s design is his captivation with the process of creating pieces such as chairs, tables and lighting fixtures. “A kind friend once described me as a ‘vertebrate designer,’” Dixon has said. “That means that I design from the bones outwards and am not really interested in surface.”
Classic Dixon pieces are those that exhibit the manner of their making — from his early work in welded scrap metal to the woven rattan seats and backs of his Fat chair for Cappellini. There are two ways to approach Dixon designs: as a collector, or as a decorator. The former will seek Dixon’s one-off and limited edition works and prototypes. These historical artifacts carry high prices that range from around $8,000 to $50,000 and above. Those more interested in a dynamic look will find that manufactured Dixon designs — such as his Jack lights or his Melt pendant — can be found for prices that range from about $300 to $1,000. Either way, as you will see on 1stDibs, the designs of Tom Dixon have a singular allure that makes them a noteworthy element in any room.
Tom Dixon, Vertical Vitrine Cabinet in Bronze, Glass & Steel, UK, Circa 1995
By Tom Dixon
Located in New York, NY
This elegant two-door cabinet by renowned British designer Tom Dixon combines heft with light. Its sturdy bronze frame rests on tapered legs while the glass sides and shelves lend to...
Bronze, Steel
Edwardian Glass and Bronze Museum Vitrine
Located in New Windsor, NY
Stylish Edwardian period museum glazed vitrine. Circa 1910-1920. Hinged glass and bronze framed top that opens for your fine valuables to be put on display. Light green stretched and...
Brass, Bronze
Antique French Louis XV Walnut and Glass Vitrine Cabinet, Circa 1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Louis XV walnut and glass vitrine cabinet, Circa 1880.
Walnut
$2,650
H 55 in W 28.5 in D 14.5 in
Vintage Louis XVI Style Vitrine Cabinet, Brass and Glass, Circa 1960s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Louis XVI style curio / Vitrine cabinet in two parts. An exquisite vintage display cabinet finished in a seafoam green with hand painted gilt accents. Glass front and sides w...
Brass
$16,000Sale Price|57% Off
H 70 in W 48.75 in D 16 in
Empire Style Maison Krieger Wood, Glass, Bronze And Marble Vitrine Cabinet
By Maison Krieger
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an Empire style gilt bronze mounted wood, glass and marble top heavy and large vitrine/curio cabinet. The wide tapered rectangular vitrine has four glass walls framed with wood. The front door is one of them and it is beveled. It is decorated with a gilt mounted bronze garland of roses, mixed of flowers and foliage at the top and bottom area. At the top center, there is a gilt bronze shell and at the bottom a Wedgwood light blue porcelain round plaque with a cherub that is carving a piece of stone. Above the plaque, a large gilt bronze bow is decorating the curio cabinet. There are scrolls of acanthus leaves adorning each side of the upper top corners of the door. A gilt bronze swag made of laurel leaves branches with a bow in the center embellish the frieze of each one of the sides, and its corners are also decorated with scrolls of acanthus leaves with a garland of buds hanging from them. There are also some gilt beads chain ornaments decorating the wood part of the sides. The cornice is adorned with a bronze border made of carved acanthus leaves. The upper part of the curio cabinet is covered by a heavy light pink with grey veins marble top. To support the vitrine there are four gilt heavy bronze lion paws decorated with large acanthus leaves and a pair of laurel branches at the upper part of them. These acanthus leaves are spreading toward the lower front border and forming an arc. There are four adjustable thick glass shelves inside the curio cabinet and a lower one made of wood that is covered with a light yellow color Damask fabric. A metal lockplate has inscribed Mon Krieger...
Marble, Bronze
Wonderful Italian Vitrine Cabinet
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful Italian vitrine cabinet.
Wood
$6,500
H 79 in W 41 in D 14.5 in
Yew Vitrine Display Cabinet, Georgian style, Made In England, Glass Shelves
By Bevan Funnell Ltd.
Located in Toronto, CA
We are presenting here a Yew Vitrine Display Cabinet, Made In England, Glass Shelves. An elegantly styled and proportioned display cabinet in the classic English style with beautiful...
Yew
$2,600
H 72 in W 31 in D 16.25 in
Industrial Commercial Grade Stainless Steel and Glass Medical Cabinet, Vitrine
Located in New York, NY
Industrial, commercial grade stainless steel and glass medical cabinet, vitrine, showcase. The case features two full length glass fronted doors, which open to reveal interior adjust...
Stainless Steel
$6,400 / set
H 78.5 in W 17.75 in D 13.75 in
Vintage Spanish Bronze Glass Vitrine Display Cabinet Sarreid Mastercraft Style
By Sarreid Ltd., Mastercraft
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Inspired by Spanish European modernist design, this pair of tall vitrines showcases bronze-finished metal frames with clear glass doors and shelving. Elegant yet understated, in the ...
Brass, Bronze
Glass and Gilt Wood Vitrine / Curiosity Cabinet
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
Hand crafted vitrine/curiosity cabinet with 2 glass shelves Can stand on counter or hang on wall.
Art Glass, Mirror, Hardwood
Mastercraft Neoclassical Brass and Glass Vitrine Cabinet
By Mastercraft
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Mastercraft Neoclassical Brass and Glass Vitrine Cabinet This cabinet measures: 40.5 wide x 16 deep x 87 inches high Excellent Vintage Condition. We take our photos in a controlle...
Brass
$2,800
H 72 in W 31 in D 16.5 in
Industrial Stainless Steel Medical Cabinet Vitrine by the Shampaine Company
Located in New York, NY
Stainless steel two door display cabinet, vitrine, medical cabinet. The case features two full length doors which swing open to reveal adjustable glass shelves. The doors have knobs ...
Stainless Steel
Rococo Style Gilt Bronze and Vernis Martin Vitrine Cabinet
Located in London, GB
Rococo style gilt bronze and Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet French, 19th Century Height 194cm, width 120cm, depth 50cm This large and exquisite vitrine cabinet is a true statement pi...
Ormolu