JACQUES QUINET (FRENCH, 1918-1992) 'BERCEAU' COFFEE TABLE; DESIGNED/MADE 1952 Gilt bronze and glass 45.5cm high, 110cm long, 49cm wide
Provenance: The table's first owners, were cousins of the French painter Jean René Bazaine (1904-2001), who acquired it directly from Quinet for their apartment in Paris, 1952. Christies Paris, 'DESIGN VENTE DU SOIR', 22 Nov 2016, lot 120 Literature: Guitemie Maldonado, Jacques Quinet; Les Editions de l'Amateur , Paris, 2000, p. 43 - 46 for the same model that belonged to Jacques Quinet
French designer Jacques Quinet (1918-1992) was renowned for his minimalist yet refined approach to furniture design, which balanced functionality with elegance. The 'Berceau' coffee table, patinated in bronze and glass showcases his penchant for understated luxury. The works sweeping bronze legs evoke a sense of both grace and strength, resembling an elegant cradle- the translation of the French word 'berceau'. The juxtaposition of these smooth, curved metal lines with the transparent glass top, underscores Quinet's skill in blending modernist sensibilities with classical aesthetics.
Born in 1918, Quinet grew up in France where he was shaped by both the pre-war art movements and the profound transformations that followed World War II. He was a private individual, more focused on his craft than seeking the limelight. His background in fine arts and early exposure to the world of furniture-making shaped his design philosophy. He studied at the prestigious École Boulle in Paris which gave him a foundation in both traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design. He often designed several bespoke pieces for upscale Parisian apartments and high-profile clients. Despite his understated personal demeanour, Quinet's work became emblematic of mid-century French sophistication.
The mid-20 th century saw a revival of a neoclassical style, mostly due to the artistic austerity and functionalism of earlier modernist movements such as Bauhaus. Earlier movements had focused on strict minimalism and industrial materials. Designers after World War II looked to bring back luxury and tradition to furniture design without completely abandoning more modernist values. This table exemplifies the combination in his use of patinated bronze and graceful curvature which harks back to classical forms, echoing the influence of ancient Greco-Roman design. He refrains, however, from over-ornamentation and it is this simplified interpretation of neo-classical principles that gives his designs a timeless quality.
The longing for societal permanence and continuity after the upheaval of the war facilitated a demand for neoclassical design. Consumers desired interiors that not only projected stability but also an escape from the chaos. Quinet's emphasis on craftsmanship fulfilled this need by creating pieces that were both luxurious and practical, serving as subtle reminders of classical ideals of beauty and proportion without compromising on contemporary functionality.