Overview
Distinctive “Carabou” extendable dining table designed by Tito Agnoli for Pierantonio Bonacina in 1991, featuring a warm-toned cherry wood tabletop and a sculptural conical pedestal in woven natural rattan.
Combining traditional Italian craftsmanship with an inventive architectural design, the table is distinguished by its striking pedestal construction and an integrated extension mechanism that transforms its circular silhouette into a larger oval dining surface.
Description
The Carabou dining table presents an elegant composition of contrasting geometric forms, with a broad circular wooden top resting on a distinctive conical rattan base.
The pedestal is meticulously covered in tightly woven rattan, creating a continuous textured surface that widens towards the floor. At its upper section, angular cherry wood elements extend downward from beneath the tabletop, forming a series of pointed triangular supports that introduce a bold architectural detail.
The circular top features softly rounded edges and a rich reddish-brown finish, with the natural grain of the cherry wood remaining visible across its surface.
Despite its substantial tabletop, the central pedestal gives the design a visually balanced appearance, allowing the sculptural base to remain the principal architectural feature.
Design & Function
One of the most interesting features of the Carabou model is its integrated extension system, which allows the table to adapt to different dining requirements.
The circular tabletop separates into two sections that slide outward, revealing a
concealed central folding extension leaf. Once raised and positioned between the two halves, this additional panel transforms the table into an elongated oval configuration, providing a larger dining surface.
The mechanism is discreetly incorporated beneath the top, preserving the table's clean appearance when closed.
Its central pedestal construction also provides generous legroom, avoiding the restrictions of conventional corner-leg arrangements.
Materials & Aesthetic
The table combines cherry wood, natural woven rattan, and metal extension hardware, establishing an elegant dialogue between smooth wooden surfaces and intricate artisanal weaving.
The cherry wood displays warm reddish and amber tones, enhanced by its visible natural grain and softly polished finish.
The rattan pedestal introduces a lighter honey-colored shade and a rhythmic woven texture, giving depth to the otherwise simple conical volume.
This combination reflects the refined use of natural materials characteristic of Bonacina's furniture production, where traditional weaving techniques are incorporated into contemporary architectural forms.
Technical Details
Product: Tito Agnoli Carabou 1991 Modern Brown Wood & Rattan Extending Table, Bonacina
Designer: Tito Agnoli
Manufacturer: Pierantonio Bonacina, Italy
Period: 1991
Materials: Cherry wood, natural woven rattan, metal extension hardware
Dimensions: Diameter: 110cm | Maximum Opening Diameter: 155cm | Height: 76cm
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.
Collectibility
The Carabou dining table is a distinctive example of Tito Agnoli's collaboration with Pierantonio Bonacina during the early 1990s.
The model belongs to the Carabou dining collection, which also included matching woven rattan armchairs, conceived around a shared design language combining curved forms and specialized craftsmanship.
Its unusual pedestal construction and concealed extension mechanism make the table particularly interesting from both a technical and decorative perspective.
The Carabou collection is also referenced in Giuliana Gramigna's Repertorio del design italiano 1950–2000 per l'arredamento domestico, Volume 1, page 450, providing an important bibliographic reference for the design.
Designer & Manufacturer
Tito Agnoli (1931–2012) was an Italian architect and designer known for his exploration of furniture construction, innovative forms, and material experimentation.
His work encompassed lighting, seating, and furniture for both residential and professional environments. His designs often combined structural simplicity with carefully considered artisanal details.
Pierantonio Bonacina belongs to the historic Italian tradition of woven furniture manufacturing originating in Lurago d'Erba, Brianza.
Established in 1889 by Giovanni Bonacina, the company's heritage developed around the use of rattan, reed, and cane, combining traditional basket-weaving techniques with modern furniture design.
Through collaborations with architects and designers such as Tito Agnoli, Bonacina expanded the possibilities of woven furniture, creating distinctive pieces that unite technical expertise with contemporary design.
