Jean Claude Dresse, coffee table, mosaic brass and agates, Belgium, 1970.
This unique coffee table by Dresse was owned by a Belgian private collection from Brussels. This example is custom-made and of a regular size (measuring 145cm) which is exceptionally large for Dresse's pieces. Besides its size, what is is important for the quality of this table is that the piece is made by hand with an agates gemstone inlay from mosaic brass. All Dresse's pieces are handmade: ''The only tools used are shears to cut the mosaics and a polisher to finish the work. The thick, luxurious top is finished with a high-gloss black edge accompanied by an architectural freeform base in black lacquered metal. The agates inlay has been placed off-center from the table, giving it a dynamic appearance and great visual depth. It is important to know that Dresse was the first to produce these kind of metal or stone mosaic tables in Belgium. Nowadays, these mosaic patterns are exemplary for design from Belgium in the 1970s and 1980s, which states the importance of the design of Dresse and this unique table.
The table is signed 'Dresse' on the side.
Jean Claude Dresse (1946) is a Belgian artist and designer. He graduated from the art academy in Charleroi. His interest in the visual artist is clearly visible in his furniture designs as he uses artistic techniques such as mosaic and etchings. He makes use of precious metals such as brass and copper. Together with his father he was a prominent figure in the furniture business in the 1980s and he belongs to the artistic Walloon school that focused on glamorous esthetics. When his father died and the market was more difficult, he could not continue to make the furniture on his own so he became a visual artist.