A rare and iconic example of postwar California modernism, this rotating coffee table was one of only two ever produced in the 1950s by designers Carole Krohn and Paul Osbourne. Built with precision and intention, the table is constructed from a 1” curved L-bar and a ⅝” steel rod. It features a circular glass top that rotates effortlessly on a newly replaced 311M ball bearing—an ingenious use of industrial technology. Legend has it that the original bearings were removed from a Hispano-Suiza. The original 311M bearing will accompany the table, preserved for historical provenance.
One of the two tables was featured prominently in Blueprints for Modern Living: History and Legacy of the Case Study Houses, the landmark 1989–90 exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. Celebrating visionary yet often overlooked contributors to mid-century design, the exhibition cemented the table’s seminal place in design history. The only other known example remains in the possession of one of the designers' families.
A study in minimalist form and mechanical grace, the table is in excellent condition. The steel frame has been professionally restored, and the spinning function operates flawlessly. A museum-worthy work of functional art with an interesting provenance.
