Iconic Mid-Century Coffee Table by Emilio Rey in Glass and Gilt Metal - 53½" long

A sculptural Spanish coffee table by Emilio Rey, circa 1960s to early 1970s, combining a shaped clear glass top resting on a gilt metal base modeled as braided rope terminating in tassels. The softly scalloped top echoes the undulating rope rim, while slender legs descend to tasseled feet and a central double coil stretcher gathers the lines just above floor level. The gilt shows a mellow, warm patina that reads as antiqued gold. Condition is good, with light rubbing to the gilding and faint surface scratches to the glass, the characterful wear expected of a well-cared-for mid century piece.

Emilio Rey (1932–1988) was a Spanish designer known for turning functional furniture into lyrical sculpture. He explored rope and tassel motifs in cast metal, pairing them with custom-contoured glass to balance mass and light. Bridging traditional ornament with modern clarity, his work occupies a distinctive place in postwar European design. Rey’s coffee tables are among his most sought-after creations, admired for their graceful profiles and meticulous craftsmanship, and they have become increasingly prized by collectors and design connoisseurs, as a recent Sotheby's sale in Paris confirms.

This generous table anchors a seating group with elegance yet keeps the room visually open. It pairs beautifully with velvet or leather seating, classical gilt accents, or contemporary art, and the clear top invites books and curated objects without heaviness, introducing a refined note of movement and quiet glamour.

Condition and patina consistent with age.
Approx. overall 19¾" high x 53½" long x 37¾" wide
Approx. overall 50cm high x 136cm long x 96cm wide