Vintage, postmodern Tokyo dining table in solid beech wood and glass, designed by Fabio Di Bartolomei for CALLIGARIS of Italy in 1991. With their subtle reference to the Space Age aesthetic of the 1950s, the distinctive supports steal focus. The four slanted legs resemble a pair of butterflies, forming two round-edged “Xs,” or sets of wings, on either end of a horizontal crosspiece, connected by contrasting metal joints. The rectangular top is made of transparent, tempered glass. The elegantly sculpted base creates the illusion that its feet are levitating above the floor. Selected for the “Young & Design 1991” award in Milan. Perfect for hosting six or eight friends for lunch or for adding a distinctive flair to a professional’s studio.

FABIO Di BARTOLOMEI was born, and still resides, in the city of Udine in northeastern Italy. An accomplished designer and architect, primarily known for his furniture and industrial designs, Di Bartolomei is also involved in graphic projects, exhibition organisation, building planning, and interior design. His creative thinking tends to emphasize functionality and the balance between the everyday needs of individuals and their living environments. He strives to keep both his products’ aesthetic appeal and their practical purpose in perspective, holding that image, while important, is the secondary consideration. Di Bartolomei is also famous for basing projects on the research of materials.

Since its 1979 inception, the Di Bartolomei Design Studio in Udine has developed an international footprint, maintaining subsidiary offices in New York, Warsaw, and Brisbane. Additionally, Di Bartolomei has created over 200 products in collaboration with Italy's most prestigious furniture and lighting brands. His prominent partners include Fiam Italia, Tonon, Calligaris, Skipper, and Riva 1920.

Beyond his creative work in the industry, Di Bartolomei has taught design at several universities, including those in Udine, Trieste, and Verona. He has also written columns on design for publications like the daily newspaper Messaggero Veneto.

In 2019, Di Bartolomei conceptualized new Vaporetti (public waterbuses) for the city of Venice. His highly innovative Eco Waterbus was explicitly developed to minimize the negative effects of this fast-moving means of transport on Venice's delicate canal systems. Its hull produces less wave action, a major factor in the erosion of Venice’s foundations.

Di Bartolomei’s pieces have been showcased in major museums such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City and the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, N.Y. His work was also chronicled in MoMA’s prestigious Design Encyclopedia in 2004. Further accolades include a 1996 Marcello D'Olivo prize and TOP TEN awards at the International Chair Exhibitions in Udine in 1997 and 1999.

CALLIGARIS is a historic Italian furniture company, known today for its modern and functional designs. Founded in 1923 by Antonio Calligaris, the brand is celebrated for blending traditional Italian craftsmanship with contemporary style and offers a wide range of furniture for the home and office.

Its original, artisanal workshop in Manzano, Italy, focused on the production of the Marocca chair, a traditional wooden chair with a woven sea-grass seat. Most of the work was done by hand, and mainly by women.

During the post-WWII boom, the company grew rapidly under the leadership of Anthony’s son, Romeo Calligaris, in response to growing consumer demand. By the 1960s, it had fully embraced industrialization. Ramping up production capacity, CALLIGARIS became a leading furniture manufacturer in the so-called “chair district” of Udine. In the 1980s, the firm began to diversify beyond wood and straw, incorporating materials like metal, plastic, leather, and glass. In 1986, grandson Alessandro Calligaris became president and drove further expansion internationally.

Today, CALLIGARIS exports its products to over 90 countries and operates five manufacturing plants. The firm offers a comprehensive selection of furniture for every room and is known for its ability to combine form and function, with many products featuring ingenious, space-saving designs. The wide variety of materials incorporated in its designs includes a selection of high-quality fabrics.

2008 saw the opening of a flagship store in Milan, followed by ones in London and Paris.

DETAILS

Designer – FABIO Di BARTOLOMEI

Design Period/Year – 1991

Maker – CALLIGARIS

Production Period/Year – 1990s

Origin – ITALY

Styles/Movements – POSTMODERN; SPACE AGE

Materials – GLASS, BEECH, METAL

Colors – TRANSPARENT, SIENNA, BLACK

Condition – Excellent vintage condition. May show minor signs of previous ownership and use.

Dimensions – 71" L × 35 ½" W × 30" H