Astro Circular Coffee Table by VB Wilkins for G Plan, c1969
Astro Circular Coffee Table by VB Wilkins for G Plan, c1969
Presenting the exceptional G Plan circular coffee table, a true masterpiece of mid-century design, crafted from solid Afrormosia wood.
The 'Astro' coffee table, a hallmark creation by the renowned furniture manufacturer G-Plan, stands as a quintessential piece of British mid-century design. Inspired by the work of Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, the table showcases a distinctive sculptural base that gracefully supports a round top, complemented by a glass insert.
Originating from the much-sought-after 'Brasilia' collection, which debuted in 1964, this piece was the brainchild of G-Plan's gifted in-house designer, Victor Wilkins. Officially cataloged as the 'Model 8040' occasional table, it is fondly referred to as the Astro—a name mistakenly attributed to another G-Plan occasional table. The design's elegance and sculptural grace embodyies timeless allure.
Esteemed as one of G-Plan's premier designs, this coffee table is an essential addition to any modern setting, celebrated for its beauty and design excellence.
Featuring gracefully curved legs and a rounded top, this table embodies the high-quality craftsmanship characteristic of G Plan during the 60s and 70s. Its elegance is enhanced by a glass insert, elevating its aesthetic appeal. Hailing from the popular Fresco range, this table represents an iconic piece of mid-century furniture, and finding well-preserved examples of this style is increasingly challenging.
We have gently refurbished this table to ensure it is in very good vintage condition.
Dimensions:
Height 45cm
Diameter 84cm
Restoration Process:
In our studio workshop, every item undergoes a meticulous inspection and careful restoration process. We prioritize maintaining the original charm and patina of the piece, while also making it a beautiful addition to modern interiors.
Our Approach Includes:
- Examining and reinforcing the joints
- Cleaning the wood and removing any stains
- Conducting veneer repairs as necessary
- Polishing or refinishing surfaces to enhance their appearance
British furniture designer Victor Bramwell (V.B.) Wilkins is best known for his Fresco range for G-Plan. Although all of Wilkins known works were produced by G-Plan, there is little biographical information available on the designer. It can be assumed, however, that he worked as an in-house designer for the British manufacturer for many years.
Although most of the British public reverted to traditional tastes after the war, there was a small but growing market for high-quality, modernist furniture, and G-Plan successfully spoke to this younger, more progressive audience. Through clever marketing campaigns, G-Plan set the standard for modernist, mass-market furniture in post-war Britain. G-Plan’s C Range, with an aesthetic that celebrated its machine production, was launched in 1953, and by 1957 it had become enormously popular.
By the 1960s, the Scandinavian look was sweeping international design, and British-made furniture was being outsold by Danish imports. To compete, G-Plan brought in Danish designer Ib Kofod-Larsen (1921-2003) to create new collections in fine woods, like teak and rosewood. While these Kofod-Larsen pieces have become very collectible today, at the time, they were not well appreciated by the design community—perhaps viewed as lesser variations on the furniture available from Scandinavia. It can be assumed that Wilkins was highly influenced by Kofod-Larsen’s designs as Wilkin’s pieces are often wrongly attributed to Kofod-Larsen.
Riding on the coattails of Kofod-Larsen’s success, Wilkins’ Fresco range also had a strong Scandinavian influence. Designed in 1966 and launched the following year, the range – which was G-Plan’s most successful range – included a suite of furniture for almost every room in a house, all finished in teak with beautiful, rich grain. The design itself combined the sleek and sculptural aesthetic of Italian furniture with the definitive Scandinavian style that was so popular at the time.
In addition to the Fresco range, Wilkins designed the Astro Coffee Table (1969) – which has clear references to Isamu Noguchi’s IN-50 coffee table (1944) – and the Spider occasional table (1970). Both feature curved teak bases that resemble the shapes after which they were named, although the latter is often referred to as Astro in contemporary catalogues.
G-Plan was the brainchild of Donald Gomme, of traditional furniture maker 'E Gomme'. He launched G-Plan in 1952, introducing three new concepts: lifestyle branding, a constant range that people could add to over time and the modern style. The Festival of Britain in 1951 popularised the idea of modern design; Gomme was the first furniture maker to bring modern design to a mass market in the UK. G-Plan set the standard and became the must have brand of the day. G-Plan furniture was a little more expensive than most people could afford, but many thought it was worth making the sacrifice to have the best. Today G-Plan furniture is still as stunning and desirable as it ever was - an investment worth every penny.
We try to capture the condition of our items in our photographs as best as possible. Prior to dispatch all items are carefully cleaned and re-coated with danish oil to ensure your item is looking its best when delivered.
