Contemporary table HERCLE

aluminummetal baserectangular

Hercle, the collection of tables designed by Lapo Ciatti for the Salone del Mobile 2024, was created with the intention of combining, in an object of everyday use, the timeless charm of ancient Greece with avant-garde materials, the result of our attention to sustainability issues. While the typical fluted column is a distinguishing feature becoming a solid base, the special cork finish that covers the surfaces is evidence of the commitment to environmental protection. A symbol in classical architecture of stability, power, order and harmony, the column is also closely linked to the myth of Heracles, the demigod son of Zeus celebrated for his strength, courage and determination. In one of his '12 labours', when he reached the slopes of the mountains that marked the boundary of the then known Earth, he erected two columns to indicate to mortals the limit beyond which they should not go. In another, he replaces Atlas, shouldering the incredible weight of the world, just as a column supports the lintel above. With the Hercle collection - the Etruscan variant of Heracles chosen to honour Opinion Ciatti's Tuscan roots - the myths and symbols of Greek columns are revived in a functional key. The aluminium structure reflects the strength and durability of ancient columns; its design evokes the elegance and harmony of classical architecture; finally, like the Greek hero, the table of the same name defies gravity by supporting large cantilevered tops with a central column (single or double depending on the size of the top).