Coffee table “Sheaf of wheat

Coffee table wheat sheaf in gilded metal, made in the 1970s. In the spirit of Robert Goossens’ creations for Coco Chanel, it embodies Hollywood Regency style with its naturalistic wheat-ear décor, beautiful original patina, and remarkably well-preserved gilding.

• Rare and fine wear scratches on the top.
• Diameter of the tray 102 cm.
• Height 45 cm
• Thickness of the slab 8 mm

The “wheat sheaf” table, an icon of Hollywood Regency style

Made in gilt metal around 1970, this wheat sheaf coffee table is part of what would become one of the most emblematic decorative movements of Hollywood Regency style. Wheat sheaves with a timeworn gilt patina are among the most sought-after creations of this period, when furniture became a true statement piece, playing with metal reflections, naturalistic forms, and refined finishes.

The story of these tables is closely tied to Coco Chanel. Deeply attached to the symbol of wheat, which she associated with abundance, prosperity, and luck, the designer brought this motif into the world of her famous apartment at 31, rue Cambon in Paris. Amid Coromandel lacquer screens, rock crystal chandeliers, bronzes, and art objects, a wheat sheaf table held pride of place. Becoming one of the most famous images of her interior, it did much to popularize this decorative vocabulary.

The gilt metal “Wheat Sheaf” coffee table

Several of these tables were made by the great goldsmith and decorator Robert Goossens, whose creations for Coco Chanel combine metalwork with a remarkable sense of ornamental sculpture. Other prestigious houses, such as Maison Baguès, also developed their own interpretations of the wheat sheaf, helping to spread this motif through the most elegant interiors from the 1950s to 1970.

Wheat sheaf tables are recognized by their base made of finely chased ears of wheat, gathered into a bundle like a true harvest sheaf. Paired with a glass top, they play with transparency to highlight the delicacy of the metalwork. Light glides over the gilding, emphasizes every relief, and animates the ears with a multitude of reflections, giving these creations a character that is as precious as it is spectacular.

Today, vintage gilt metal models remain among the most sought-after pieces of Hollywood Regency furniture. Their timeless elegance, quality of execution, and connection to Coco Chanel’s decorative world explain why they continue to hold pride of place in contemporary interiors as well as in 20^th-century design collections.