Jean Claude Dresse Coffee Table in Steel and Resin Inlayed with Agate

Jean Claude Dresse, coffee table, stainless steel, agate, resin, wood, Belgium, 1970s

This striking coffee table by Belgian artist-designer Jean Claude Dresse is a masterwork of 1970s design, seamlessly merging sculptural form with fine craftsmanship. The rectangular tabletop is composed of resin and stainless steel, featuring Dresse’s signature etched surface that shimmers with a unique, almost topographic texture. This is creating a mesmerizing interplay of light and reflection.

A particularly captivating detail is the inclusion of agate stones inlaid into the top, embedded like celestial bodies within the etched steel surface. The agate adds a rich, organic contrast to the otherwise industrial materials. The geometric base is finished in a deep dark brown color, giving the entire piece a bold and grounded presence.

Jean Claude Dresse (1946) is a Belgian artist and designer. He graduated from the art academy in Charleroi. His interest in the visual artist is clearly visible in his furniture designs as he uses artistic techniques such as mosaic and etchings. He makes use of precious metals such as brass and copper. Together with his father he was a prominent figure in the furniture business in the 1980s and he belongs to the artistic Walloon school that focussed on glamorous esthetics. When his father died and the market was more difficult, he could not continue to make the furniture on his own so he became a visual artist.  In the 1970s, Brussels saw the emergence of a distinctive decorative arts trend. Prominent designers like Ado Chale, Georges Mathias, Jean Claude Dresse, Willy Daro, and Lova Creation led the movement. Their signature style featured the incorporation of gemstones as decorative elements and a dominant use of gold tones. The classic etching technique was frequently employed, especially in the design of coffee and cocktail tables.