Zhipeng Tan creates provocative furniture with metal alloys that merges abstraction and Pop art with forms inspired by the natural world. The contemporary Chinese designer’s chairs and stools are topped with seats that mimic the shapes of flower petals, while the graceful legs of his audacious polished brass side tables and dining tables resemble molten gold.
Tan graduated from the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou with a degree in industrial design. Enamored with the organic silhouettes that populate the great outdoors, he grew increasingly interested in sculpture and drew on natural forms in his work, with molded brass as his vehicle for expression. Tan employs the ancient technique of lost-wax casting, which sees metal objects and furnishings cast from wax models. He then trims, welds and polishes the parts to craft tables and seating that are distinctive and unconventional works of art-furniture that are wholly sculptural but serve a functional purpose in one’s living room. In 2015, Tan cofounded the Shanghai-based Mán-Mán Studio with Daishi Luo, a furniture designer and sculptor who studied metal art at Huafan University in Taiwan.
Tan is known for his brass 33 Step chair, which draws heavily on the human anatomy and is named for the 33 vertebrae found in the human spine. Many of his console and coffee tables appear as though the metal table top has reverted to its molten state, with a range of droplet-shaped brass forms at each corner serving as table legs, while smaller elements are “suspended” inches above the floor along the table's underside, creating a striking visual effect.
Many have suggested that Tan’s influences include English sculptor Henry Moore, Catalan artist Joan Miró and Japanese Pop artist Takashi Murakami. Notable firms such as Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Ingrao Inc. and David Scott Interiors have purchased his semi-abstract creations, and Tan’s work can be found in the collections of the Columbus Museum of Art, the HE Art Museum and the Centre Pompidou.
Find Zhipeng Tan furniture on 1stDibs.
$7,500 / item
TanTan Wall Lamp No.3 Polished Brass and Glass
By Zhipeng Tan
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This lovely wall lamp is designed and made by renown artist Zhipeng Tan, made with polished brass and is limited edition of 10. Since graduating with an industrial design degree f...
Brass
$7,500 / item
TanTan Wall Lamp No.3 Polished Brass and Glass
By Zhipeng Tan
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This lovely wall lamp is designed and made by renown artist Zhipeng Tan, made with polished brass and is limited edition of 10. Since graduating with an industrial design degree f...
Brass
$7,500 / item
TanTan Wall Lamp No.4 Polished Brass and Glass
By Zhipeng Tan
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This lovely wall lamp is designed and made by renown artist Zhipeng Tan, made with polished brass and is limited edition of 10. Since graduating with an Industrial Design degree f...
Brass
$7,500 / item
TanTan Wall Lamp No.4 Polished Brass and Glass
By Zhipeng Tan
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This lovely wall lamp is designed and made by renown artist Zhipeng Tan, made with polished brass and is limited edition of 10. Since graduating with an Industrial Design degree f...
Brass
Moroccan Moorish Polished Brass Decorative Tray Wall Hanging
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Fabulous Moroccan Moorish hand-hammered brass tray, intricate multi dimension artwork, very fine Islamic Metalwork brass repousse designs. Handcrafted wall hanging decorative brass tray with a copper...
Brass
Fabscarte Wall Lamp, Handmade, Hand Painted, Ninfee
By Fabscarte
Located in Milan, IT
Wall lamps made with the Fabscarte's wallpapers. The paper is mounted on a precious brass fan-shaped support. When turned on the lamp is suggestive of the lunar atmosphere and create...
Brass
Lemongrass Leaf Bunch Wall Sconce
Located in Firenze, FI
Enhance your space with the exquisite Lemongrass Leaf Brunch Wall Sconce from our Hortus line in the eclectic collection. Designed by the creative Cecilia Pantaleo, crafted from iron...
Brass, Iron
$5,000
H 5.12 in Dm 21.26 in
Art Glass Sun Sculpture Lamp by Felipe Delfinger for Feders, Mexico, circa 1960
By Felipe Delfinger
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Art Glass sun sculpture lamp by Felipe Delfinger for Feders. Mexico, circa 1960.
Art Glass
$28,500 / item
H 70.87 in W 21.66 in D 19.69 in
Zhipeng Tan, Brass Floor Lamp, 'Up, ' TanTan Collection
By Zhipeng Tan
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Zhipeng Tan’s ‘Up’ floor lamp embodies and further extends the concept of his most iconic collection, TanTan Collection. “This year, we have been for...
Brass
Fabscarte Selvatica Wall Lamp, Handmade, Hand Painted
By Fabscarte
Located in Milan, IT
“Selvatica” is a wall lamp with a LED backlight, conceived as an external window to connect you to nature even in those places, where it is not actually present. Its front panel is made of painted paper with subsequent material interventions on the back to create plays of light and shadow. The ovoid shape gives the idea of the oriental fan...
Brass
Modern Murano Glass Flower Form Wall Art
Located in Dallas, TX
Spectacular modern purple Murano glass flower form wall art on a brass frame. Beautiful delicate flowers that are lit from behind. A fabulous impact piece that is a real work of art!
Brass
Monstera Leaf Ornamental Wall Light
Located in Firenze, FI
Transform your space with the enchanting Hortus Monstera Leaf Wall Light. Designed by creative Cecilia Pantaleo for Bronzetto and crafted from iron, this...
Brass, Iron
$1,250 / item
H 11.46 in W 3.98 in D 5.12 in
Tekna Docklight Wall Light with Polished Brass Finish and Clear Glass
By Tekna
Located in New York, NY
Wall light in solid brass with clear or frosted glass. For indoor and outdoor use (IP44). Lamp LED E27 230V 4W 2700K Retro A60. Main power 230V 50Hz.
Brass
Ginkgo Leaf Ornamental Wall Light
Located in Firenze, FI
Introduce a touch of elegance with the Hortus Gingko brass Leaf Wall Light. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this exquisite wall ligh...
Brass
$3,500 / item
H 7.88 in W 14.18 in D 4.73 in
Butterfly Wall Decorative Art Sculpture in Silvered Glass, Sabrina Landini Italy
By Sabrina Landini
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
BUTTERFLY The free dance movement For more than 22 years, Sabrina Landini pays homage to glass surfaces in her expression of silvered masterworks, the hallmark of her collection. S...
Brass
TanTan Wall Lamp No.2 Polished Brass by Zhipeng Tan
By Zhipeng Tan
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Tan’s practice, since graduating from the China Academy of Art, has been focused on the ancient technique of lost-wax casting. This ancient foundry process has created an intersectio...
Brass