A Fine Birds Eye Maple Coffee Table by Jean Pascaud

France, 1930

An elegant early twentieth century burr birch veneered low table, the tapering legs terminating in gilt bronze sabots. 

By Jean Pascaud.

Jean Pascaud (1903-1996) was one of the most influential furniture and interior designers of the twentieth century, with a style that embraced both traditional and contemporary ideas.

Pascaud was born in Rouen, in 1903.  He graduated in 1924 from the Ecole Centrale des Arts et Manufactures, with a degree in engineering.  Despite earning an engineering degree, Pascaud was interested in the decorative arts and this interest led Pascaud to start designing furniture, and later, in the late 1920s, into interior design. 

His father-in-law, Auguste Bluysen, President of the Societe des Architectes Modernes, encouraged Pascaud's design work, and in 1927, Pascaud designed his first pieces of furniture.

Once Pascaud, had entered the field of furniture design, he began to exhibit his work in various salons, including Salon des Tuileries, Salon d'Automne, and Salon des Artistes Décorateurs. 

Like his contemporaries André Arbus, Paul Dupré-Lafon, and Jacques Adnet, Pascaud's style was concerned with simplicity and technical virtuosity, which worked together to communicate both contemporary and traditional taste.

He is known for his use of rich veneers and exotic woods, including violet wood, palisander, and American walnut, which were often embellished with parchment and galuchat for luxury, or metal banding and bronze sabots for dramatic contrast.

Pascaud received the coveted Grand Prix at the International Exposition of 1937. This solidified his success, along with his collaborations with other respected designers, and by the 1940's, Pascaud was a renowned designer and decorator with a prestigious clientele that ranged from government officials to private figures. In the 1950's, Pascaud collaborated on the designs for the embassies of Sweden and Checkeslovakia, and also for the French Embassy in Mexico.

Height      45.00cm

Width       100.00cm

Depth       100.00cm

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance