Early and Rare Ado Chale 'Relief d'Agate' Coffee Table in Cast Bronze

Ado Chale, early 'Relief d'Agate' coffee table, cast bronze, lacquered steel, Belgium, ca. 1974

This exceptionally rare Relief d’Agate coffee table, dating from circa 1974, is an early example of one of Ado Chale’s most distinctive explorations in cast metal. The model translates the mineral vocabulary at the heart of Chale’s work into bronze: through the casting process, countless irregular forms become integral to the tabletop, creating a gently raised, mosaic-like relief reminiscent of polished agate and pebbles. Rather than functioning merely as applied decoration, the relief forms a sculptural landscape that continually changes with light and perspective. The free-form rounded shape further emphasizes its organic character, while the restrained black metal base allows the bronze surface to take center stage. Particularly compelling is the exceptional patina, which has developed over time and gives the relief remarkable depth and tonal variation. The table captures a defining moment in Chale’s career, when his fascination with minerals, craftsmanship, and casting converged in furniture that occupies the space between functional object and sculpture. It has been authenticated by Atelier Ado Chale and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.


Biography

Ado Chale, the Belgium-based artist born as Adolphe Pelsener in Brussels in 1928, embarked on a journey that blended his expertise in mineralogy and blacksmithing with his innate creativity. In 1960, alongside his wife Huguette Schaal (1929-2011), a gemologist, he established a boutique in Brussels named "Chale". Here, he showcased extensive collections of precious minerals while delving into the art of crafting decorative jewelry and tabletops using semi-precious stones and rare materials. Rather than merely designing, Chale approached furniture-making with the precision of a craftsman, infusing each piece with an aura of exclusivity. Together, Ado Chale and his wife traveled the world in pursuit of the search of rare materials, like turquoise, malachite, amethyst, and agate, but also petrified wood and ivory, to name just a few, spanning continents such as Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia.

Throughout his 50-year career, Chale crafted a myriad of bespoke interior objects, establishing himself among the forefront of interior decorators who emerged during the 1960s. Designers such as Gabriella Crespi (1922-2017) and Maria Pergay (1930-2023) contributed to the creation of exclusive interior objects that blurred the lines between fine and applied art, infusing 20th-century interiors with a heightened sense of glamour and spectacle.

Central to Chale's oeuvre are his meticulously crafted tables adorned with gemstones, employing a self-developed technique akin to mosaic and terrazzo. In this case, the materials undergo meticulous reworking before being cast in epoxy resin, after which the entire piece is polished and finalized. At a later stage, he also includes solid cast metal like aluminum and bronze. His creations, radiant and refined, epitomize exclusivity, as he delicately employs rare and delicate materials to craft singular masterpieces.

Chale's body of work has garnered widespread acclaim, with his pieces gracing prestigious museums, to private and public spaces alike. Chale's creations have captivated discerning clientele, including members of global aristocracies and esteemed fashion houses such as Chanel, Dior, Hermès, and Louis Vuitton. By consistently pursuing innovation and employing precious materials adeptly, Ado Chale’s work has left an indelible mark on the world of craftsmanship, transcending mere furniture art or design to create timeless treasures that represent a painstaking and irreplicable work of craftsmanship.