Saarinen Pedestal Dining Table (1956) | Alivar MVSEVM 769 

A Visionary Icon of Mid-Century Design

Designed by Eero Saarinen in 1956, the Tulip dining table represents one of the most iconic forms of 20th-century furniture design. Part of Saarinen's revolutionary pedestal collection, this piece aimed to eliminate the "slum of legs" found under traditional tables and chairs—a design problem he tackled with remarkable clarity and elegance.

Inspired by the idea of “organic furniture”—a concept Saarinen explored in earlier collaborations with Charles Eames—he sought to create unified, sculptural forms that appeared to grow seamlessly from base to top.

Though his ambition was to produce the base and top from a single moulded material, the limitations of technology in the 1950s meant he had to compromise. The base was made of cast aluminum, as plastics of the era couldn’t support the weight of a marble or stone top. Saarinen considered this a partial failure, hoping one day materials science would catch up to his vision.

Today, this compromise has become part of the table’s lasting beauty and structural integrity.

Dimensions:

Material Options:

Liquid laminate: special lacquer varnish with scratch-proof and spot-proof characteristics. The product was studied and formulated with the use of special resins and very hard selected, homogeneous micro-spheres.

Marble: a natural material, and as such, small fissures or minor porosity in polished surfaces are inherent features of true marble and should not be considered defects. We offer a selection of high-quality marble types, including Bianco Michelangelo, Nero Marquinia, Marrone Emperador, Grigio Oriente, Bianco Calacatta, Nero Calacatta Black, and Verde Alpi. While the polished finish is standard, satin (matte) or polyester-coated finishes are also available upon request.

Ceramika: high quality, durability and resistance, as well as non-absorbent and non-porous. Ecological and absolutely water proof. Color doesn't change over time. Hygienic because it's not porous. Laminam ceramic 5 mm. thick coupled with extra clear transparent glass

Finishes

Availability & Ordering:

This product is available for special order. Please contact us for pricing, customization options, and lead times.

Availability: Special Order (12 to 14 weeks)