The Elephant Trunk Table was probably inspired by British tea tables with curved, elephant trunklike legs, which in turn were inspired by small Chinese lacquer tables. The shape and number of legs contribute not only to the table’s aesthetics, but also lend it stability. Additional elements of the object shown here fulfil both practical and decorative purposes: the brass edging on the tabletop prevents objects from slipping off the surface; the ceramic tiles serve as trivets for hot beverages. The Viennese architect Adolf Loos used the table on numerous occasions in his interior designs for living rooms and smoking rooms. It was seen for the first time in his 1899 design for the home of Viennese art historian Hugo Haberfeld, which possibly explains why the model is often misattributed to Loos, though Loos himself made it clear in 1907: ‘The Elephant Trunk Table was produced by F. O. Schmidt, based on Mr. Max Schmidt’s design (execution and detailing by master workman Berka)’.
Text: Eva B. Ottillinger
