Reluctant Humanity (Coffee Table)

This beautifully, unique, aquatic themed coffee table is both expressive and functional.   It was a collaborative effort with Peter Favret, a local woodworker, who finely crafted the North Carolina Cherry wood elements and contributed to the forging/fabrication work.  I have long been fascinated with the design and natural beauty found in the structural anatomy of fish, which contributed to inspiring this piece.  It also makes an underlying statement on our own mortality within the continuum of the cycle of life.

The piece was constructed using forging and fabrication techniques.  The vertebrae were created by forging segments of thick wall steel pipe, combined with individually forged ribs that were joined by steel rivets.  The tail element was constructed with forged round rod and sheet metal, assembled with arc welding fabrication, and then joined with steel rivets.  The wood top is stylized to both emulate an abstract fish shape and the smooth movements of water.  The wooden base serves two purposes; one to emulate abstract sand bars in an ocean landscape and the practical need to protect the ribs from scratching floors in the home.

41” X 18” X 24”

$12,500