Gae Aulenti Table Kartell Black Coffee Table

• item. coffee table
• designer. gae aulenti
• manufacturer. kartell
• model. 4894
• period. 1970s
• country. italy
• style. space age
• materials. molded plastic
• color. black
• dimensions. h 38 cm × w 77.5 cm × d 77.5 cm
• condition. good vintage condition. light paint wear and minor deformation on top.
• notes. original finish. structurally solid.
• reference. 1964

DESIGN CONTEXT

This gae aulenti table for Kartell, model 4894, is a striking example of 1970s Italian experimentation with industrial materials and sculptural form. Designed as a low coffee table, it reflects Aulenti’s ability to merge architectural thinking with domestic objects, creating pieces that feel both grounded and fluid.

Produced by Kartell, a pioneer in plastic innovation, the table is made from molded plastic with a continuous curved structure. The soft transitions between surfaces and legs give the piece a monolithic presence, typical of Space Age design language. The black finish enhances its graphic quality, making it suitable for both minimal and more eclectic interiors.

Unlike more rigid modernist tables, this gae aulenti table introduces a sense of softness through its rounded geometry, while maintaining a strong visual identity. It works particularly well in conversation with other plastic icons from the same era, such as pieces in our Space Age Icons collection or alongside lighting from our Lighting collection.

The table shows light signs of age, including minor wear to the finish and a slight deformation of the top, consistent with its history and use.