Armand Jonckers Unique Coffee Table in Green Resin and Copper

Armand Jonckers, unique coffee table, resin, copper, lacquered steel and wood, brass, Belgium, 1984

A visual pleasure for the eyes, this unique coffee table by the multi-disciplinary Belgian artist Armand Jonckers, is created in 1984 and aligns with the decorative experimentation that emerged during the postmodern period of the 1970s and 1980s. His pieces were typically produced in limited numbers or commissioned individually, which partly explains their strong material individuality. The table is signed and dated on top with: "Armand Jonckers à Rene et Eliane 1984”.

Recalling both Art Deco ornament and non-Western decorative traditions, the tabletop’s silhouette can be seen as a stylized quatrefoil in green resin, framing the intricate engraved copper panel that shows a complex arrangement of geometric patterns. The base has a hybrid appearance with cylindrical pierced-wood legs, paired with lacquered steel beams, and raised on brass plinths.

Sculptor, engraver, antiquarian, mineralogist, and decorator, Armand Jonckers (b. 1939) is a remarkably versatile creative force. After graduating in Fine Arts from Lausanne in 1957, he quickly established his own workshop and embarked on a wide range of artistic and entrepreneurial pursuits. Alongside dealing in antiques and studying mineralogy, Jonckers developed a passion for collecting gemstones and designing interiors for private residences and boutiques. His commissions included the clothing store Lollipop, two palaces in Saudi Arabia, and the famed Parisian club Le Fashion, a favorite destination of the city’s elite.

It was through these projects that Jonckers began designing furniture, often incorporating reclaimed vintage objects and unconventional materials into his work. His distinctive aesthetic has been described as baroque, infused with wit and a playful sense of humor.