Ceramic and iron come together in this 1970s French side table, by Georges Pelletier, a piece where structure and surface are held in quiet balance.

The table is composed of a slender, forged iron base supporting a circular top inset with four ceramic tiles. The base rises with a gentle curve, each leg tapering slightly as it meets the floor. There’s a lightness to it, despite the strength of the material, giving the piece an almost architectural poise.

The tiles form the visual center. Each one is individually crafted, finished in a soft white glaze and decorated with concentric circular motifs in warm gold and muted tones. These patterns are not perfectly uniform; slight variations in line and color reveal the hand behind the process. Over time, the surface has developed a gentle patina, subtle marks and tonal shifts that speak to both use and material sensitivity.

Rather than being purely decorative, the ceramic top carries a sense of rhythm. The repetition of the circular forms creates a geometry, softened by the warmth of the glaze and the irregularities of firing. Set within a thin metal rim, the tiles feel both contained and highlighted.

Pelletier’s work often explored the relationship between natural forms and structured design, and that sensibility is present here. The table doesn’t rely on ornament alone, it’s the dialogue between iron and ceramic, line and surface, precision and variation that defines it.

With its compact scale and balanced proportions, the piece functions easily as a side table, pedestal, or accent. But beyond use, it holds attention through restraint. Nothing feels excessive; every element is considered.

Georges Pelletier, born in 1938 in Brussels, is a renowned ceramist based in Cannes, France. He began his ceramic journey in 1953 at the Pioulier School in Vence, later studying at the Académie Charpentier and the École des Arts et Métiers in Paris, and honing his skills at the Poteries d’Accolay. Influenced by the vibrant Parisian art scene, he frequently visited Fernand Léger’s studio.

In the early 1960s, Pelletier opened his first ceramic studio in Paris, where his distinctive work caught the attention of Maison Bobois, sparking a successful collaboration from 1961 to 1973. Since then, he has worked in Cannes, creating his signature solar motif ceramics alongside his son.