5 - CHARLES RENNIE MACKINTOSH (Scotland, 1868–1928) for Cassina.

CHARLES RENNIE MACKINTOSH (Scotland, 1868–1928) for Cassina. “DS1” dining table, also known as Model 322, with folding side panels. Produced in Italy by Cassina in the 1970s based on the original 1918 design. Condition: Good. Vintage piece with no structural defects, but may show signs of use. Measurements: 75 x 177 x 125 cm. DS1 dining table, also known as Model 322, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1918 and produced by the Italian firm Cassina during the 1970s. It is characterized by a geometric and architectural style, based on a structure of straight lines and an oval tabletop with folding sides that allow its surface to be adapted to different needs. Its design combines functionality and formal rigor, reflecting the Scottish architect’s unique interpretation of Modernism. The table stands out for the contrast between the geometry of its structure and the curved forms of the tabletop, as well as for the incorporation of a folding extension system that enhances its versatility. The ornamental restraint and the balance of its proportions reflect Mackintosh’s aesthetic principles, whose work is characterized by the integration of architecture, interior design, and furniture. Cassina’s reissue of this model during the second half of the 20th century helped to revive and popularize some of the most representative designs of the modernist movement. Mackintosh was a Scottish architect, designer, and watercolorist who played a pivotal role in the Arts & Crafts movement and was also the leading exponent of Art Nouveau in the United Kingdom. He decided to pursue architecture at the age of just sixteen, and throughout his life he devoted himself to transforming the buildings, furniture, and art of Glasgow. Virtually all of his furniture designs were created for the interiors he designed, particularly for tea rooms, most notably the famous Willow Tea Rooms. He achieved international recognition after presenting his works at the Vienna Secession exhibition in 1900. His style was one of the most prominent examples of geometric Modernism, characterized by decorative restraint, the predominance of straight lines, and a pursuit of asymmetry. Although he shares with organic Modernism an inspiration drawn from the plant world, his interpretation is radically different, giving rise to a personal style that anticipated some of the principles of modern design. His work is represented in major international institutions, such as the Hunterian Art Gallery at the University of Glasgow, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and MoMA in New York, the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, among others.