Cappellini - Giulio Cappellini - Cenacolo - Table - Wood

Designed in 1986 by Giulio Cappellini – architect, designer and icon of contemporary Milanese design – the “Cenacolo” table represents one of Cappellini’s most significant pieces from the 1980s. In an era of radical experimentation, Cappellini signs a work that balances formal rigor, essential shapes, and dramatic presence, turning a simple dining table into a domestic architectural element. The name evokes Leonardo’s famous “Last Supper,” but here the reference is ironic and secular: a modern cenacle, a place of intimate and convivial gathering, made eternal by the purity of its lines. The square version 150×150 cm (height about 72–73 cm) is among the rarest and most harmonious measurements of the series, perfect for contemporary spaces that favor symmetry and centrality.
This square format gives the table strong personality: it’s not just a surface to rest things on, but a true visual anchor of the room, capable of organizing the space around it with a discreet authority. Ideal for 8 people in a symmetric configuration or for open-space living/dining environments, it offers a generous surface without weighing down the room, thanks to its clean geometry and apparent lightness. The material chosen for this piece is beautifully natural wood, probably Slavonian oak or a light core with pronounced and warm grain, finished with oil or a transparent varnish that enhances the wood’s living texture. The surface reveals knots, natural nuances, and an irresistible tactile texture: a wood that breathes, ages gracefully, and gains character over time, turning every sign of use into noble patina. The base, typically composed of squared legs with a beveled top and a metal connection frame (often matte black for contrast), creates a perfect dialogue between solidity and refinement. The legs, precisely profiled with geometric precision, give the table an almost sculptural, architectural look: from afar it seems to hover, up close it reveals Italian artisanal craftsmanship.
“Cenacolo” embodies Giulio Cappellini's vision: a design that doesn't shout, but whispers with elegance. It is a timeless piece, versatile across prestigious residential contexts, urban lofts, renovated country houses, or sophisticated contract spaces. Its essentiality makes it complementary to different styles—from Nordic minimalism to soft brutalism, from contemporary to cultivated vintage—without ever losing its identity. In excellent condition, with natural wood intact and bright grain, this table is a rare opportunity: a classic of Italian design from the 1980s, signed by one of its absolute protagonists, in an organic and luminous finish that makes it even more current and desirable. A piece of furniture that does not merely furnish, but tells a story of essential and lasting beauty.