René Joubert (1878-1931) and Philippe Petit (1900-1945) designed this particular piece of furniture for D.I.M. (Décoration Intérieur Moderne) somewhere between 1925 and 1930.

The coffee table presented here is in perfect Art Deco style, with a rectangular sheet of ground glass resting on an arched U-shaped element veneered in walnut that in turn rests on an aluminium base enriched by a black lacquered wooden element.

The prestigious French design studio D.I.M. was founded immediately after the First World War by Joubert – an architect and cabinetmaker – and Mouveau – a set designer – with the aim of designing and producing furniture and ornaments. In 1924, Philippe Petit also joined the already established D.I.M.. Their pieces, made from oak or walnut, are known for their clean lines, simple style, and robust appearance.

The collaboration between Joubert and Petit quickly became very close, and together they carried out a wide range of commissions, always designing furniture of the very best quality that was produced in the company’s own workshop – as was the case with this table.

Joubert and Petit were both traditionalists who were often inspired by Louis XVI or the Restoration, and their work was produced in small editions for an elite clientèle. Warm woods including rosewood, walnut and ebony bestowed the desired sensation of luxury, while decoration was provided by veneers with a very pronounced grain.

In 1925, D.I.M. participated in the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris. Their dining room at the French Embassy aroused great enthusiasm and critics named it a “Tour de force of sobriety and harmony”. By 1930, they had become one of the largest gallery-studios in Paris. Their commissions also included installations on the ocean liner L’Atlantique, kitted out in 1931.