Rare Sergio Rodrigues for ISA Bergamo 'Sheriff' Coffee Table in Solid Pine

Sergio Rodrigues for ISA Bergamo, coffee table, pine, Italy, 1960s

Sergio Rodrigues stands as one of the most iconic figures in Brazilian design, with a remarkable career that spanned nearly five decades. His work is distinguished by a cohesive and original style, securing him a lasting place in 20th-century design history. Among his extensive collection of furniture pieces, the 1961 "Sheriff Chair" is perhaps the most celebrated, known for its vibrant personality and its bold reimagining of traditional seating. Alongside the chair, Rodrigues designed a coffee table within the Sheriff line, lesser-known but equally representative of his style. His use of organic materials like wood, leather, and cane, combined with the almost hand-crafted nature of his pieces, distinguishes his work. The table features a softly oval top, crafted from rectangular-shaped sawn slats that highlight the natural grain and unique variations in the wood. Rodrigues enhances the tactile quality with a subtle embossed surface, achieved through gouge-cut techniques. The spindle legs, joined by meticulously carved crossbars, emphasize structural integrity and craftsmanship.

Rodrigues's work was driven by the pursuit of both practical and symbolic functionality, aiming to create pieces that would serve not only physical needs but also enhance the emotional experience of the user. Over his career, he crafted more than a thousand unique designs, overseeing each stage from initial concept to finished product. Although Rodrigues valued the idea of standardization, he adapted his designs at the prototype stage to allow for variations suited to different users’ needs. This approach, while challenging for mass production, helped define his market: a cultured, discerning audience with a taste for high-quality, refined pieces.

Sergio Rodrigues (1927-2014) emerged as a pivotal figure in the 1950s, during a time when modern Brazilian architecture had firmly taken root, yet furniture design remained anchored in outdated styles. Recognizing this gap, Rodrigues set out to create furniture that embodied both the modernist principles and a distinctly Brazilian identity. Over his prolific career, he designed more than 1,200 unique pieces, merging clean, modern lines with a warm, authentic Brazilian spirit. Collaborating closely with Oscar Niemeyer, he became the preferred interior designer for Niemeyer's iconic buildings in Brasília. Rodrigues’s dedication to a contemporary Brazilian design language resulted in a distinctive style: robust, personal, and unapologetically pure. Yet, he remained deeply connected to Brazil’s design heritage, often incorporating native woods like jacaranda, which added a rich, natural quality to his creations. His work is celebrated as the true expression of the Brazilian spirit: warm, joyful, and enduringly strong.

Kindly note that the piece is in good, used condition with signs of age and use. This includes some discoloration on the top and scratches. For further details, we encourage you to reach out to our team of design specialists.

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