Overview
Exceptionally rare “Goblet” Bar Cabinet, Model 634/D, designed by Aldo Tura for Tura Milano in the late 1950s, distinguished by its monumental chalice-shaped silhouette, luxurious dark brown lacquered parchment, decorative brass details, and illuminated mirrored interior.
This extraordinary creation represents one of the earliest expressions of Aldo Tura's Surrealist design language, transforming a ceremonial drinking goblet into an imposing sculptural piece of furniture.
The front door, covered in pecari leather, features a lithographic reproduction of “Two Old Men at a Table” by Frans van Mieris the Elder, whose original painting is preserved in the Uffizi Galleries in Florence.
Combining artistic references, theatrical proportions, and exceptional craftsmanship, this cabinet embodies the exclusive decorative culture of Milanese high society during the late 1950s and 1960s.
Description
The Aldo Tura Model 634/D takes the form of an oversized chalice, featuring a substantial rounded upper body supported by an elegantly tapered stem resting on a broad circular pedestal.
The exterior, excluding the front door, is covered in dark brown lacquered parchment, displaying rich tonal variations from deep chocolate brown to warmer amber shades.
Delicate decorative brass bands accentuate the structural transitions, while ornamental hinges and a refined locking mechanism enrich the curved front door.
The most distinctive decorative feature is the lithographic reproduction of Frans van Mieris the Elder's “Two Old Men at a Table,” printed directly onto the pecari leather covering the door.
The original seventeenth-century painting, which is kept at the Uffizi Museum, depicts two elderly figures sharing a meal in a Dutch interior.
Behind the curved door, the cabinet reveals a spectacular interior featuring segmented mirrors, curved glass shelves, and integrated electric lighting.
The piece is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by the Aldo Tura Official Archive, of which JF Gallery Design is the current custodian, confirming its attribution and historical significance.
Design & Function
The Model 634/D Goblet Bar Cabinet exemplifies Tura's imaginative approach to functional furniture, transforming a familiar object associated with conviviality and celebration into an exclusive cocktail cabinet.
The curved front door opens laterally, revealing a sophisticated bar compartment lined with vertical mirrored panels, arranged to follow the rounded geometry of the cabinet.
Their segmented composition multiplies reflections and creates an almost kaleidoscopic effect, visually expanding the interior.
Curved transparent glass shelves, supported by discreet fittings, provide elegant display surfaces for bottles, glasses, and bar accessories without interrupting the reflective composition.
The integrated electric lighting system, featuring illuminated circular elements, distributes a warm golden glow throughout the compartment. The surrounding mirrors amplify the illumination, producing an extraordinary theatrical effect.
Materials & Aesthetic
The cabinet combines dark brown lacquered parchment, pecari leather, decorative brass, mirrored glass, transparent glass shelves, and richly grained wood veneer.
The main structure is covered in parchment, characterized by natural mottled variations that give the surface depth and individuality.
The curved front door is the only element covered in pecari leather, featuring the lithographic reproduction of the original painting rather than a hand-painted decoration.
The warm golden tones of the brass ornaments contrast elegantly with the dark finish, while the circular upper surface features wood veneer with pronounced linear grain.
The interior of the curved door is finished in similarly striped wood veneer, creating a refined transition toward the illuminated mirrored compartment.
Technical Details
Product: Aldo Tura Rare Surrealist “Goblet” Illuminated Bar Cabinet, Model 634/D
Designer: Aldo Tura
Manufacturer: Tura Milano, Italy
Period: Late 1950s
Materials: Dark brown lacquered parchment, pecari leather front door with lithographic reproduction, wood veneer, decorative brass, mirrored glass, transparent glass shelves, integrated electric lighting
Dimensions: Height: 124.5 cm | Diameter: 58 cm
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 Aldo Tura Model 634/D Goblet Bar Cabinet represents an exceptional example of the designer's early production and one of his most fascinating explorations of Surrealist furniture design.
Its monumental chalice-shaped structure challenges conventional distinctions between furniture, sculpture, and decorative art.
The lithographic reproduction of Frans van Mieris the Elder's “Two Old Men at a Table,” preserved at the Uffizi Galleries, establishes an unusual connection between seventeenth-century Dutch painting and twentieth-century Italian design.
Associated with the affluent Milanese elite of the late 1950s and 1960s, such elaborate furnishings represented exclusivity, artistic sophistication, and unconventional luxury.
Designer & Manufacturer
Aldo Tura (1909–1963) was one of the most distinctive figures in twentieth-century Italian decorative design, celebrated for combining traditional craftsmanship, precious materials, and imaginative sculptural forms.
Working in the Milan area, Tura developed a recognizable aesthetic characterized by lacquered parchment, decorative brass, refined wood veneers, and elaborate artistic compositions.
His creations frequently incorporated references to historical painting, classical decorative arts, and Surrealist imagery, blurring the boundaries between functional objects and works of art.
Unlike the restrained functionalism of much postwar modernism, Tura embraced theatricality, unconventional proportions, and luxurious finishes, creating extraordinary furnishings for sophisticated interiors.
Tura Milano became renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship and distinctive interpretation of Italian luxury furniture. Its elaborate bar cabinets, tables, desks, and decorative accessories demonstrate an approach in which artistic imagination and material refinement played equally important roles.
Today, Aldo Tura's historic creations remain highly appreciated by international collectors and interior designers for their unmistakable aesthetic identity and exceptional decorative character.
