Obon Tables: A Fusion of Ancient Inspiration and Modern Design

Simone Bonanni's Award-Winning Design Combines Terra-Cotta Tradition with Contemporary Aesthetics

The Obon Tables are not just pieces of furniture, but a celebration of the timeless creativity of human beings. The tables are a tribute to the millenary archaeological finds all over the world that bear witness to our desire to leave a mark, to admire, and to ritualize. Bonanni's design is a nod to this ancient tradition, yet with a distinctly contemporary twist.

Each table in the Obon collection is handmade, making every piece unique. The tables are made of ceramic with a glazed top, a design choice that was inspired by the drawings and outlines of the tables themselves. Bonanni wanted to create objects that appeared to be handmade and that could create a natural and gently imperfect tone. The result is a collection of tables that are beautiful in their spontaneity and genuineness, not for their complexity.

The design process was a patient one, involving the careful combination of shapes and volumes. The graphical purity of the tables blends seamlessly with the structure of ceramics, creating a unique mix of new and antique. The tables are versatile coffee tables that can fit into a variety of environments and interior design projects due to their simple and soft silhouettes. The thick base is filled during the production process with raw material to give it a higher stability and the top surface has a glazed finish to make it easy to clean and to preserve its genuine beauty forever.

The Obon tables were exhibited in Salone del Mobile in April 2018, following a six-month design process in a small town in the region of Veneto, Italy, known for its ceramics. The design process involved extensive research and experimentation with various finishes and techniques, in collaboration with Luigi Bertapelle, an expert ceramicist in Veneto. The result is a collection of tables that perfectly balance the present and the past.

The Obon Tables are not just a testament to Bonanni's design prowess, but also his ability to overcome challenges. The search for the right finish and the technical development of such large volumes in a material that is difficult to control represented a significant challenge in terms of serial production. But Bonanni and his team were able to refine the technique day after day, resulting in a collection of tables that are not only beautiful, but also technically remarkable.

The Obon Tables were awarded Silver in A' Furniture Design Award in 2021, a testament to their outstanding design and innovation. The award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. The Obon Tables, with their strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, certainly fit this description.