Svar Ivar Dysthe coffee table

This rare coffee table was designed by Norwegian architect and designer Sven Ivar Dysthe and produced by Dokka Møbler in Norway in 1959. It stands as an exemplary piece of Scandinavian mid-century modern design, combining functionalist principles with refined materials and a modular construction approach.

The table features a circular top crafted from richly grained rosewood, showcasing a warm reddish-brown hue and pronounced, consistent grain patterns that highlight the natural character of the veneer. The tabletop edge is slightly chamfered, emphasizing the precision and care of its craftsmanship. Supporting the top is a structural frame consisting of cylindrical brushed steel legs and laminated rosewood cross braces. The legs are bolted through intersecting wooden aprons, with exposed aluminum rivets serving both structural and decorative purposes—an industrial detail characteristic of Dysthe’s engineering-focused design language.

The construction method is a key aspect of the table’s visual identity, with materials meeting at clean right angles and fasteners deliberately exposed as design elements. This harmonious blend of metal and wood reflects the progressive ethos of late 1950s Scandinavian design, a period that embraced new materials and production technologies.

Sven Ivar Dysthe (1931–2020) trained in Norway and the United Kingdom and became an influential figure within Scandinavian modernism. His work is celebrated for technological clarity paired with understated elegance. His collaboration with Dokka Møbler, a notable Norwegian manufacturer of high-quality modernist furniture in the postwar era, produced several significant pieces, including this coffee table.

The table measures 120 cm in diameter and 50.5 cm in height (approximately 47.2 x 19.9 inches). It is in very good condition, showing minor surface wear on the wood and a light patina on the steel legs consistent with age and use. The structure remains tight and stable, while the tabletop maintains its glossy finish and rich appearance.