With its colourful glass base and sleek tabletop, the ClassiCon Bell table by Sebastian Herkner is truly an object of desire
A delicate glass base holding a heavy metallic top; the Classicon Bell table, designed by German industrial designer Sebastian Herkner, is a work of art. And when light hits the tinted glass base? The sculptural piece shines with a beautiful glow, casting captivating shadows on the ground.
The Bell table goes against conventional designs that feature a glass tabletop and metal legs, making it an intriguing piece. Often viewed as the first of its kind, the exemplary design caught of the eye of designers and design enthusiasts alike when Herkner first debuted it at the Salone del Mobile fair in Milan in 2009; the table has also captured the attention of celebrities worldwide, including Crash Landing on You star Son Ye-Jin.
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The German design powerhouse has always had a keen interest and affinity with materials, colours, and forms. When it came to the Bell table, the idea of turning traditional materials upside down came to mind; Herkner wanted the focus to be centered on craftsmanship and familiar materials, rather than relying on technology and modern materials, as was the trend at that time.
In 2012, three years after Herkner first unveiled the design, Munich-based design company Classicon brought the Bell table into production. The glass base is hand-blown by a traditional glassblowing manufacturer that was founded more than 450 years ago and is currently in its 16th generation; this storied history was especially important for Herkner, who sought to imbue a sense of authenticity to the design.
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