Overview
Rare custom-made rectangular coffee table designed by Giorgio Tura for Tura Milano, Italy, 1970s. Entirely covered in natural parchment, the table is distinguished by its rigorous architectural proportions, monolithic construction and beautifully nuanced surface.
Created as a bespoke piece rather than a standard production model, the table represents a particularly refined expression of Tura Milano’s material language during the 1970s, combining geometric purity with the extraordinary decorative qualities of natural parchment.
Description
This elegant rectangular coffee table was custom designed by Giorgio Tura for Tura Milano during the 1970s.
The design is based on an exceptionally pure architectural composition: a long rectangular top is supported at either end by two substantial vertical elements.
The absence of decorative additions allows the proportions, material and surface treatment to become the defining elements of the piece.
The entire exterior is covered in natural parchment, one of the materials most closely associated with the Tura tradition. The parchment has been carefully arranged across the large geometric surfaces, revealing its characteristic organic grain, subtle clouding and naturally irregular tonal variations.
Its warm honey and golden shades change gently across the surface, creating depth without disturbing the rigorous simplicity of the form. Particularly beautiful is the contrast between the severe geometry of the structure and the organic, almost pictorial character of the parchment.
The exceptionally elongated proportions give the table a strong architectural presence while maintaining a visually restrained and sophisticated character. Viewed from different angles, the design alternates between the appearance of a functional piece of furniture and that of a minimal sculptural volume.
Design & Function
The coffee table is characterized by a long rectangular top and two wide structural supports positioned at either end.
Rather than using conventional legs, the supports extend across the full depth of the table, reinforcing its monolithic appearance and creating a large open space beneath the top.
Its generous proportions make it particularly suitable as a central coffee table for a large living room, lounge or reception area, where its horizontal profile can act as an architectural focal point.
The bespoke nature of the piece further distinguishes it from Tura Milano’s standard catalogue production.
Materials & Aesthetic
Natural parchment defines the entire aesthetic of the table.
The material presents warm golden, honey and amber nuances together with the subtle organic markings inherent to parchment. These natural variations ensure that the surface is never visually uniform and give the otherwise minimalist structure considerable richness and depth.
The juxtaposition between strict geometric volumes and an organically varied surface is particularly characteristic of Tura’s approach to parchment furniture. Tura's historical production developed around highly specialized artisanal techniques and materials, with parchment becoming especially closely associated with the company.
Here, however, the decorative language is deliberately restrained: there are no applied ornaments or contrasting materials competing with the parchment. The material itself becomes the decoration.
Technical Details
Product: Giorgio Tura Mid-Century Parchment Custom Made Coffee Table for Tura Milano 1970
Designer: Giorgio Tura
Manufacturer: Tura Milano
Period: 1970s
Materials: Natural parchment; structural wood
Dimensions: Length: 180cm | Depth: 51cm | Height: 40,5cm
Condition: Please note that this item is in good vintage condition. Minor signs of age may be present, which do not affect its functionality. We kindly invite you to take these characteristics into consideration before purchasing.
Functionality: Large rectangular coffee table designed for use as a central table in a living or lounge area.
Collectibility
The table is particularly interesting within Tura Milano production because of its custom-made origin and unusually pure architectural conception. Rather than relying on elaborate decoration, the design concentrates entirely on proportion, volume and the expressive qualities of natural parchment.
Its bespoke character, substantial scale and sculptural simplicity make it a distinctive example of Giorgio Tura’s approach to furniture design during the 1970s and an important statement piece for a collection of post-war Italian design.
It is sold with a certificate of authenticity issued by the Aldo Tura Archive, of which JF Gallery Design is the current custodian, confirming its attribution and its historical and collectible importance.
Designer & Manufacturer
Giorgio Tura continued the design tradition of Tura Milano, developing furniture characterized by rigorous forms and sophisticated surface treatments. During this period, the company continued to explore the possibilities of parchment through highly specialized artisanal production, while also developing designs in collaboration with figures including Nucci Valsecchi and Willy Rizzo. Surviving documented pieces demonstrate the breadth of this period of Tura production, from architecturally conceived cabinets to highly elaborate parchment tables and objects.
Founded in Milan in 1939 by Aldo Tura, the atelier developed a distinctive position within twentieth-century Italian design through its combination of traditional craftsmanship, experimental forms and unusual materials. Natural and dyed parchment became particularly emblematic of the Tura identity, giving its furniture the rich chromatic variations and individual surface character for which the manufacture is recognized.
