Postmodern Goat Skin Dining Table
Decorative Art / Furniture • Attributed to the manner of Aldo Tura or Karl Springer; likely an Italian or American high-end manufacture.
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Modern / Postmodernism (Hollywood Regency revival)
Medium & Technique
Lacquered goat skin (parchment) veneers over a wood substrate, featuring characteristic tessellated pattern and high-gloss protective resin.
Creation Period
circa 1970s–1980s
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 30" H x 40" W x 40" D (closed); square format.
Subject Description
A square dining or game table with an expandable leaf. The design focuses on materiality, using the natural organic mottling of goat skin to create a luxurious, marbled aesthetic. The construction features clean, minimalist lines typical of late 20th-century luxury design.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Fair - Table shows visible signs of age including surface yellowing and potential delamination or cracking common in organic veneers.
Estimated Market Value
$1,200 – $2,500 USD
Auction Estimate
$800 – $1,500 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; typical of high-end residential interior design from the late 20th century. Currently located in a domestic or garage setting.
Art Historical Significance
Significant as an example of 1970s-80s luxury revivalism where 1930s Art Deco materials (like parchment and goat skin) were reintroduced to high-end interior design by figures like Aldo Tura and Karl Springer.
Notable Features
Tessellated goat skin pattern; 'invisible' leaf junction; inward-curving legs (modified Parsons style); high-gloss finish typical of Italian luxury imports.
Condition Issues
Visible yellowing of the lacquer (UV exposure), surface scratches, and potential lifting of the skin veneers at the seams or leaf junctions.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning of the lacquer surface; keep in a climate-controlled environment to prevent further contraction/expansion of the organic skin; avoid direct sunlight to minimize yellowing.