Rare Giovanni Michelucci 'Il Tavolo' in Cherry

Giovanni Michelucci, distributed by Poltrona Frau and crafted by Fantacci di Agliana, dining table model 'Il Tavolo', as part of the "Firenze" collection, cherry, Italy, ca. 1981

A very rare table design known as Il Tavolo (1981), created by the Florentine architect and designer Giovanni Michelucci as part of his celebrated Firenze collection. Produced for Poltrona Frau and crafted by the master cabinetmakers of Fantacci di Agliana, every piece was made under Michelucci's direct supervision, with the architect personally reviewing every aspect of its construction. The production of the Firenze collection owes much to master cabinetmaker Sergio Fantacci, who, together with his brother Marcello, a trusted collaborator and friend of Michelucci, has preserved the workshop tradition through which these designs continue to be made. Even at the age of 83, Sergio remains capable of reconstructing Michelucci's iconic pieces from memory, a testament to a lifetime devoted to craftsmanship.

The table embodies Michelucci's architectural approach to furniture. Rather than relying on symmetry or conventional cabinetmaking, the construction is conceived as a visible structural composition in which every element has a clear purpose. A broad, almost weightless tabletop appears to float above an asymmetrical arrangement of solid timber supports, linked by carefully angled braces and exposed joinery. The composition creates a dynamic balance of horizontal and diagonal lines, giving the piece an unexpected sense of movement while expressing remarkable structural stability. Every joint remains honest and legible, celebrating the craft of construction rather than concealing it.