Zhipeng Tan creates provocative furniture with metal alloys that merges abstraction and Pop art with forms inspired by the natural world. The contemporary Chinese designer’s chairs and stools are topped with seats that mimic the shapes of flower petals, while the graceful legs of his audacious polished brass side tables and dining tables resemble molten gold.
Tan graduated from the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou with a degree in industrial design. Enamored with the organic silhouettes that populate the great outdoors, he grew increasingly interested in sculpture and drew on natural forms in his work, with molded brass as his vehicle for expression. Tan employs the ancient technique of lost-wax casting, which sees metal objects and furnishings cast from wax models. He then trims, welds and polishes the parts to craft tables and seating that are distinctive and unconventional works of art-furniture that are wholly sculptural but serve a functional purpose in one’s living room. In 2015, Tan cofounded the Shanghai-based Mán-Mán Studio with Daishi Luo, a furniture designer and sculptor who studied metal art at Huafan University in Taiwan.
Tan is known for his brass 33 Step chair, which draws heavily on the human anatomy and is named for the 33 vertebrae found in the human spine. Many of his console and coffee tables appear as though the metal table top has reverted to its molten state, with a range of droplet-shaped brass forms at each corner serving as table legs, while smaller elements are “suspended” inches above the floor along the table's underside, creating a striking visual effect.
Many have suggested that Tan’s influences include English sculptor Henry Moore, Catalan artist Joan Miró and Japanese Pop artist Takashi Murakami. Notable firms such as Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Ingrao Inc. and David Scott Interiors have purchased his semi-abstract creations, and Tan’s work can be found in the collections of the Columbus Museum of Art, the HE Art Museum and the Centre Pompidou.
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$50,000 / item
Lotus Sofa Polished Stainless Steel by Zhipeng Tan
By Zhipeng Tan
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Tan’s practice, since graduating from the China Academy of Art, has been focused on the ancient technique of lost-wax casting. This ancient foundry process has created an intersectio...
Stainless Steel
Kartell Uncle Jack Sofa by Philippe Starck
By Philippe Starck, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kartell presents Uncle Jack, the revolutionary single mould transparent polycarbonate sofa signed by Philippe Starck. It is 190 cm long in a single block we...
Plastic
1950s Swedish Sheepskin Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten 'Samspel' Sofa, circa 1950s First designed in 1956 and produced by AB Record in Bollnas, Sweden, the 'Samspel' sofa is one of the finest pieces to be drawn by Sweden's...
Beech, Sheepskin
1950s Swedish Velvet Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten 'Samspel' Sofa, circa 1950s First designed in 1956 and produced by AB Record in Bollnas, Sweden, the 'Samspel' sofa is one of the finest pieces to be drawn by Sweden...
Wool, Cotton, Beech
$2,940Sale Price|40% Off
H 27 in W 64 in D 36 in
1970's Italian Tufted Leather Sofa by Ambienti Bernini
Located in Hanover, MA
SATURDAY SALE Very comfortable lounging sofa made in Italy by Ambienti Bernini. It reminds me of the Mario Bellini "le Bambole" sofa but with tufte...
Upholstery
Knot Brazilian Contemporary Foam Sofa by Lattoog
By Lattoog
Located in Sao Paolo, BR
This sofa/pouf is characterized by a flexible linear structure tied in a knot shape. The 'Knot' was the first piece created by the duo Leonardo Lattavo and Pedro Moog, when designing furniture was still seen as a hobby by both of them. A few years later, when they came across the cover of an Italian magazine that showed a piece of furniture by the Campana brothers (the Boa sofa...
Fabric, Upholstery
$10,920 / item
H 28 in W 75 in D 34 in
Contemporary Black Leather Double Seat Sofa by KLEIN, Laser-Cut Steel Frame
By Klein Agency
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials - Black Leather, Steel // Style - Modern // Origin - USA // Condition - New, Made to Order The sofa double is guilty as charged. Doubling the fun of Klein Agency's sofa Si...
Cut Steel
$14,760 / item
H 33.47 in W 63 in D 35.44 in
Velvet, Bronzed Steel, Brass and Ostrich Feather, Ostrich Fluff Sofa
By Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
This sofa is part of the Ostrich Fluff collection designed by Egg Designs and manufactured in South Africa. The sofa is constructed in two section, these are connected via three bronzed steel brackets which are then fixed with solid brass pins. The velvet upholstered seat section is finished off with a colored, delicate genuine ostrich feather skirt...
Brass, Steel
Modernist Two-Seat Sofa in Grey Cotton Velvet & Stainless
By Steelcase
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Sleek, simple and well constructed. Base is covered in gray cotton velvet. Seat backs and cushion pads in a gray checker board. Stainless steel legs. Heavy...
Stainless Steel
Customizable Artifort C683 Sofa by Kho Liang Le
By Kho Liang Ie, Artifort
Located in New York, NY
A sofa by Kho Liang Ie. Restrained simplicity. Frame of pressed beech upholstered with moulded foam on a metal base. With integrated seat and back cushion. Base: Two metal straps:...
Textile
$7,080 / item
H 28.35 in W 80.71 in D 31.11 in
Customizable Artifort 905 Sofa by Artifort Design Group
By Artifort
Located in New York, NY
This design, dating from 1964, is still up to date. As slim and tender as your first love. A Classic that is now in production for its second time. Now available as contract seating...
Textile
Custom Curved Channel Back Leather Sofa by Carrocel
By Carrocel
Located in North York, ON
Custom curved channel back sofa by Carrocel. Displayed with a textured light wood platform and luxurious Italian leather material. Featuring unique channel back design with removable...
Leather, Wood
Customizable Artifort Bras Sofa by Khodi Feiz
By Artifort
Located in New York, NY
The Bras invites you to make yourself comfortable, and embraces you. Reclining and taking it easy, or sitting cosily in a corner, enjoy the relaxation and comfort offered by this bea...
Textile
Curved Sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1960s, Midcentury, Brazil
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Joaquim Tenreiro (1906-1992) designed and produced the Curved Sofa in circa 1960, commercializing it in his company Tenreiro Móveis e Decorações – with stores in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. A wooden frame comprises a shell-shaped piece with soft nubuck leather upholstered padding and cushions. Tenreiro's design choice for the feet contrasts with the curved upholstery, bringing four rectangular legs made of solid Brazilian...
Leather, Rosewood
Borge Mogenson Tan Leather Loveseat Sofa Danish Mid-Century Modern
By Børge Mogensen, Kaare Klint
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Danish Mid-Century Modern love seat sofa by Borge Mogensen.
Leather
Customizable Artifort Ondo Sofa by René Holten
By Rene Holten, Artifort
Located in New York, NY
Rising from the arm, the seat and back fuse together into the other arm. Simple principles provide the best design for a comfortable sofa. A sparse supporting frame allows the seat a...
Textile