Pair of Black Lacquered Faux-Bamboo Side Tables, Gasparucci Italo, Italy circa 1970

A highly refined pair of Italian faux-bamboo side tables, impeccably lacquered in deep gloss black and retaining the original oval paper label of the maker, Gasparucci Italo srl. The square tops are supported on four faux-bamboo legs with carved ring joints at the knuckles, giving the illusion of genuine bamboo with all the precision and durability of turned and lacquered wood. The bases are strengthened by elegantly proportioned X-shaped stretchers whose crossed members meet at a central node, adding structural integrity while creating a pleasing geometric accent at floor level.

Gasparucci Italo was an Italian furniture workshop celebrated in the 1960s and 1970s for its high-quality faux-bamboo lacquered pieces, which enjoyed an international clientele and appeared in some of the most sophisticated interiors of the period. The black lacquer finish chosen here is among the most assertive and dramatic in the faux-bamboo idiom, the deep gloss surface catching the light and transforming the simple side-table form into something closer to a decorative sculpture than a functional accessory.

At 53 cm square and 60 cm in height, these tables sit comfortably as side tables flanking a sofa or armchair, their square tops offering a practical surface for lamps, books, or drinks. The compact footprint and bold vertical presence make them particularly effective in smaller spaces where a single strong element is preferable to multiple modest ones.

A distinguished and signed pair in excellent condition, with the original maker’s label preserved. Suitable for a wide variety of interior contexts, from the darkly glamorous to the rigidly neoclassical.