Rare and exceptional low table designed by Roberto Iodice and produced by the Ottini Milano woodworking workshop around 1975, an emblematic example of the most daring and sophisticated season of late 20th-century Italian decorative design.
The piece stands out for its masterful use of materials of extraordinary preciousness that are no longer usable today, making it not only a furnishing of great scenic impact, but also an authentic historical document.
The top is clad in natural tortoiseshell, applied in mosaic according to a rigorous geometric composition that enhances the infinite chromatic variations of the material: warm amber tones, deep browns and black mottling create a vibrant, iridescent surface of exceptional visual depth.
Tortoiseshell, now absolutely banned and protected, was at the time reserved for the highest-level productions, intended for an extremely select clientele.
Its presence gives the table a very rare and unrepeatable value, making it effectively non-replicable.
The structure is made of glossy black lacquer, perfectly polished, with squared legs and balanced proportions that dialogue with the opulence of the top without ever overpowering it.
The overall design is sober and decisive, deliberately essential, conceived to function as a neutral architectural base on which the precious material of the top can fully express itself. This contrast between formal rigor and material richness is one of the distinctive features of Ottini Milano’s production of those years.
The table ideally sits between decorative art, design and fine cabinetry, evoking a refined and cultured taste, close to the atmospheres of international glamour and the representative interiors of the 1970s and 1980s, among prestigious private residences, executive offices and elegant living rooms.
The condition is excellent, with slight and normal signs of age compatible with the period and the nature of the material, confirming its authenticity and historical value. The surface retains a deep brilliance and an extremely vivid chromatic reading.
An extremely rare table, intended for knowledgeable collectors, architects and interior designers seeking an iconic, unrepeatable piece rich in history.
An object that could no longer be produced today, and for this very reason represents a unique testimony to an era and to an artisanal know-how that has now definitively come to an end.
The table is sold with the author’s authentication, an expert-certified appraisal and CITES documentation for the free extra-EU circulation of protected species.
Product Name: Tortoiseshell Table by Roberto Iodice for Ottini Milano, 1975
Designer: Roberto Iodice
Year of Design: 1975
Style: Late 20th-century Italian decorative design, with glamour influences and high-level craftsmanship of the 1970s
Main Materials: Natural tortoiseshell applied in mosaic for the top; glossy black lacquered structure
Distinctive Design: Top clad in natural tortoiseshell, now banned and protected, applied according to a rigorous geometric mosaic composition that enhances the deep amber, brown and black chromatic variations of the material. The sober and essential structure features squared legs and balanced proportions conceived as a neutral architectural base to enhance the material opulence of the top. The contrast between formal rigor and material richness is one of the distinctive traits of Ottini Milano’s production in the 1970s.
Dimensions: Length 130 cm | Width 80 cm | Height 40 cm
Comfort: Object conceived as a decorative and functional furnishing
Typical Use: Coffee table or center table in representative settings, prestigious interiors, executive offices and high-end private residences
Design Icon: Extremely rare and emblematic example of the most daring and sophisticated season of Italian decorative design of the 1970s, no longer replicable today
Versatility: Ideal as a focal piece in contemporary, eclectic or historical interiors, as well as within design author collections
Current Design Status: Out of production and not reproducible; a unique testimony to artisanal know-how and materials that are no longer usable today
Additional Notes: Please note that this item is in excellent 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.
CITES: Please note: This item requires a CITES certificate for international shipment. JF Gallery Design will handle the application and issuance of the certificate. Estimated processing time: 2 to 4 weeks.