Object Description
Pair of Charles Dudouyt (1885-1946) French tables, circa 1930.
Strongly influenced by African art, these richly carved tables mark a move form Art Deco to the bold abstract forms of Picasso and the modern movement.
An important figure in early 20th century French design and contemporary of Alexandre Noll, Charles Dudouyt was instrumental in redefining France’s design aesthetic to a more modernist sensibility, drawing inspiration from tribal art and folk tradition. Initially an artist Dudouyt abandoned painting and drawing to design and manufacture furniture, lamps and other decorative objects. He settled in Paris in 1933 where he moved away from convention, adopting an approach characterized by truth to materials: bringing out the humble beauty of simply carved wood as evident in these two tables.