Model Stampo del Vuoto Prototype Table by Paolo Pallucco & Mireille Rivier, 1990s

This “Stampo del Vuoto” table was the last piece designed by the Italian avant-garde couple Paolo Pallucco & Mireille Rivier in 1990. It was requested by a friend and art collector who wanted a table around which to arrange the 8 chairs he had chosen from the “100 sedie in una notte” collection presented at the Galleria Mazzoli in Modena. Being the prototype for this project, “Stampo del Vuoto” is an absolute museum piece, not only being a unique piece but having equally an excellent provenance, as it comes straight from the house of Mireille Rivier. A Mireille Rivier statement about this piece is presented above and in the photos selection, where you can also find a hand drawing.

The table is made of solid chestnut wood.

“The table in question was designed in 1990, at the request of a friend and art collector, who had bought 8 chairs from the 100 sedie in una notte collection presented at the Galleria Mazzoli in Modena. This friend wanted a special table around which to arrange the 8 chairs he had chosen from the 100 different models on display. Given the expressive power of the chairs, the shape of the table had to be as anonymous as possible not to “disturb” the vision and unicity of the chairs.
Made of wood, like the chairs, and large enough to allow 8 chairs to be placed around it, the table takes on its expressive strength through the piercing, vertically and horizontally of the entire thickness of the wood. Only two items were made, one in light wood around which the 8 black chairs stood out well and the other in dark wood (chestnut) which has remained with me until now, and of which we are talking about.” Mireille Rivier