Designer Trent Jansen is at the forefront of design anthropology, a furniture and interior design movement in which designers and anthropologists work closely to produce products informed by the symbolism and visual principles of other cultures.
Each piece he designs has a rough, primal energy derived from a variety of techniques, whether incorporating scales into the surface of a side table or suggesting a spider’s shape through the form of a bench. Jansen holds immense respect for heritage, reverently and conscientiously embedding cultural identity and history in his pieces.
Jansen grew up in the small town of Kiama on the southeast Australian coast. He began his studies at the Industrial Design School of the University of Alberta in Canada and then transferred to the College of Fine Arts at the University of New South Wales, where he received his bachelor’s degree in design. He later earned a PhD from the University of Wollongong.
He then worked under Dutch designer Marcel Wanders in Amsterdam. In 2004, Jansen returned to Australia and opened his design studio in Sydney. Eventually, he relocated to Thirroul on the southern coast of Australia’s New South Wales.
Jansen has exhibited his work in solo and group shows worldwide, including at the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia, and venues in Singapore, Beijing and Milan. His awards include the 2008 Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award, the Australia Council for the Arts “Project Funding” Award in 2019 and 2017 and a 2021 Design Files + Laminex Design Award.
Today, Jansen continues to design new pieces and create outstanding works of furniture out of his studio in Thirroul.
On 1stDibs, find an intriguing array of Trent Jansen seating, tables, storage pieces and more.
$1,774
Ngumu Janka Warnti
By Trent Jansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Trent Jansen is a designer based in Thirroul, Australia, and Lecturer at the University of New South Wales Art & Design, Sydney Australia. Jansen gained his PhD from the University o...
Brass
$3,548 / item
Saddle Vassel Tall
By Trent Jansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Trent Jansen is a designer based in Thirroul, Australia, and Lecturer at the University of New South Wales Art & Design, Sydney Australia. Jansen gained his PhD from the University o...
Brass
Saddle Leather and Ceramic Ashtray by Longchamp
By Longchamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome leather and ceramic ashtray/catchall by Longchamp. Biomorphic shape with inset ceramic tray and extended cigarette or pipe holder. Great saddle color leather. Great vintage ...
Ceramic, Leather
Tall Bronze Pedestal Bowl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant, hand-made pedestal bowl with an undulating edge and metallic glaze. Each is one-of-a-kind. Decorative use only; handwashing recommended.
Ceramic
Demetra Tan Round Tall Basket with Lid
By Pinetti
Located in Milan, IT
Designed and crafted exclusively by Pinetti, this striking leather basket offers a luxurious and practical solution to storage around the house. Beautifully handwoven leather strips ...
Leather
Japanese Tall Ikebana Basket, Bamboo, Suruga Sensuji Style
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage bamboo Ikebana basket features tall cylindrical shape with prominent rounded handle. The basket is woven of thin round bamboo strips that are secured with light brown fiber, ...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1930's American Handwoven Tall Market Basket
Located in Red Lion, PA
This charming 1930s American handwoven tall market basket is a beautiful example of early 20th-century craftsmanship. Woven from natural splint materials and framed with firm bentwoo...
Bentwood
Meritalia SENZAFINE Round Basket, Medium / Black by Gaetano Pesce
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Tangled polyurethane is used in Edizioni del Pesce to create a series of vases with various shapes: Senzafine by Gaetano Pesce. This intrinsic variety infuses each piece with its own...
Plastic
Tall Japanese Ikebana Bamboo Basket, 20th Century
Located in Fukuoka, JP
This elegant tall Japanese ikebana basket dates to the 20th century and showcases the refined craftsmanship of traditional bamboo work. The elongated proportions give the basket a sc...
Bamboo
Demetra Brown Square Tall Basket with Lid
By Pinetti
Located in Milan, IT
Sleek and functional, this basket is handcrafted with meticulous care and made of handwoven leather that is 100% eco-friendly, durable, and easy to clean, suitable for both indoors a...
Leather
Demetra Brown Rectangular Tall Basket with Lid
By Pinetti
Located in Milan, IT
Part of the Demetra series, this tall basket is made of high quality, durable, eco-friendly handwoven leather and features a lid of the same color. This ve...
Leather
Anni Trenta Tall Glass Bowl in Red by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass bowl in marine red. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. Also available in other colors on 1stdibs. Dimensions: 18 cm diameter...
Art Glass
Verona Large and Tall Round Storage Basket
By Rabitti 1969 by Giobagnara
Located in Milan, IT
Part of the Verona collection, this storage basket is exquisite, versatile, and elegant. It is the product of artisanal expertise and the use of the finest leather that was treated w...
Leather
Ravenna Tall Large Round Basket
By Rabitti 1969 by Giobagnara
Located in Milan, IT
Part of the Ravenna Collection, this is a perfect piece to hold magazines in a modern living room or towels in a rustic guest bathroom, this round baske...
Bronze