An important early set of three Marcel Breuer Nesting Tables, designed in 1936 for Isokon and produced in Estonia.

Breuer designed the tables as a compact set of three graduated forms, each constructed from a single continuous sheet of bent birch plywood. The simplicity of the construction is remarkable, with the plywood curving down from the top to form the sides and feet without the need for separate legs. When not in use, the three tables fit neatly beneath one another to form a compact group.

The design belongs to the particularly important period following Breuer's arrival in Britain in 1935, when he began working with Jack Pritchard and Isokon and exploring the possibilities of plywood furniture. Together with the Long Chair, the Nesting Tables became one of the most recognisable designs to emerge from Breuer's work for the company.

This is an original matching set of three early-production tables. Each carries the impressed “Made in Estonia” stamp, identifying the set with the early Estonian production of Isokon furniture.

The provenance is particularly interesting. The tables were acquired directly from the same family as our early Marcel Breuer Long Chair and had belonged to the original owners before the Second World War. The Long Chair is documented in a pre-war photograph taken in the family's London home, providing useful supporting context for the early history of the group.

All three tables retain their original finish and have simply been carefully cleaned and waxed. The birch has developed a beautiful honey-golden colour and considerable depth of patina through approximately ninety years of age and use. We have deliberately avoided refinishing them, allowing the naturally aged surfaces and subtle variations between the three tables to remain.

The plywood remains in very good condition, without significant cracks or losses, and the set is structurally sound and entirely practical for regular use.

We have handled a number of Breuer's Isokon designs over the years and particularly value early Estonian examples where the original surface and construction survive. In this set, the combination of the three “Made in Estonia” stamps, matching original finish and family provenance makes it especially appealing.

The tables work beautifully either nested together or separated around a room as individual side tables. Their extraordinarily economical construction also gives them a sculptural quality, particularly when the three graduated forms are viewed together.

A particularly good original set of Breuer's Nesting Tables, combining early Estonian production, original surfaces, excellent condition and unusually good pre-war family provenance.

Viewing is warmly welcomed at our West London showroom.

High-resolution photographs, detailed condition reports and video inspections are available upon request.

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Please contact us for further information or to arrange a private viewing.