Early Pierre Chapo 'T14C' Table in Solid Elm

Pierre Chapo, dining table model T14C, solid elm, France, design 1960s

This table is an early edition designed by Pierre Chapo, celebrated for his masterful use of solid elmwood and his dedication to pure, functional design and honest construction principles. The piece features a strong, streamlined form that highlights the natural beauty of the wood grain. Its rectangular tabletop, finished with subtly sloped edges, rests on a distinctive two-legged base. Characteristic of Chapo’s work, the table showcases his signature joinery, emphasizing craftsmanship and structural clarity.

Pierre Chapo (1927-1987) was born in a family of craftsmen and trained as an architect in Paris. After spending many years traveling through south and North America he and his partner Nicole set up Société Chapo, an architectural research consultancy and interior design firm. In 1958 they opened their famous gallery at 14 Boulevard de l'Hopital. Chapo's work originated by means of special commissions that could later be adapted to universal needs. Chapo was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's balanced lines, Corbusier's research on proportions and the Minimalist tendencies of Bauhaus. Societe Chapo was a design workshop and gallery in one where Nicole presented ceramics, textiles and other design by the great designers of the day. The three principles that motivated Pierre Chapo were 'material, form, and function.' He measured his furniture by means of golden ratio and used elmwood as his preferred material.