Rare French Elm Coffee Table by Ebénisterie Seltz, 1970s

A rare French coffee table from the 1970s by Ebénisterie Seltz, composed of three separate elements that come together to form a sculptural round top.

Their organic seams give the surface a sense of movement, allowing the natural grain of the elm to remain the focus. Beneath, nine legs create a rhythmic, almost structural foundation, distributing the weight of the substantial top while giving the piece a lightness.

Crafted entirely in solid elm, the table celebrates the warmth and variation of the wood. The pronounced grain moves across each element differently, making the construction itself part of the design.

About Ebénisterie Seltz
Established in 1930 in the Alsace wine region of eastern France, Ebénisterie Seltz began as a family-run cabinet-making workshop focused on small-batch, high-quality production. From the outset it catered to an “elite” French clientele that valued solid timber, traditional joinery, and meticulous finishing.

The workshop specialized in solid oak and elm, favouring wide planks, through-tenon joints, and a hand-rubbed satin finish that reveals the grain rather than masking it. This mix of honest construction and simple geometry became the Seltz signature.

Seltz is best known for producing several of Pierre Chapo’s designs. Chapo chose the Alsatian atelier for its ability to execute complex carpentry at scale without compromising quality.

Seltz's own creations combined clean, geometric forms with organic elements, often using high-quality natural materials like solid oak and elm. Their work was defined by intricate wood joinery techniques and a minimalist approach, offering functional yet aesthetically distinctive furniture for modern interiors.