Drawing on a blend of cultures and historical references, the Ruff Coffee Table alludes to the aristocratic ruffled collars worn by women, often depicted in classical Northern European paintings. Their softness contrasts with the rigidity of the social rules and rituals associated with the typology of a coffee table, reflected in the solid silver table-top tray traditionally used for serving tea during formal occasions. Once symbols of discipline and status, these collars are reinterpreted here as soft, graceful forms. And more than that, the collar becomes a symbol of hospitality, inviting moments of sharing, such as gathering for tea, rather than representing submission.
The Ruff Coffee Table is part of the Soft Parade Collection, which comprises six object typologies: a lounge chair, a daybed, a dining table, a coffee table, a floor light and a carpet. Each piece explores shapes and materials that reflect on softness as an essential and defining contemporary condition. Here, softness is understood not merely as comfort, but as a deliberate stance in challenging times. The collection employs irony and humour as structural tools to embrace tension and contradiction - such as fragility and strength - without seeking to resolve them. Please enquire for more details.
Designer
Job Smeets is a pioneering figure in contemporary conceptual and sculptural art and the founder of Studio Job, established in 1998. Working in a Renaissance spirit, Smeets combines traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques to create highly detailed, one-of-a-kind objects that blur the boundary between sculpture and function.
Details
Dimensions: W 97 x D 85 x H 45 cm
Materials & Finishes: Coffe table in wood decorated with felt. Silver-plated brass top
Production: Custom made - set design and finishes. Limited edition
