Potocco’s manufacturing culture – particularly its artisanal expertise with wood – is at the core of the brand’s identity. For Potocco, there’s a continuous dialogue between past and present, tradition and the contemporary that is expressed in the interpretation of different materials. This was particularly evident this year in the incredible Torso table by veteran Italian designer Gianluigi Landoni.

Potocco describes it as “the protagonist of the dining room or an elegant meeting room,” and with its unconventional cement table top (measuring 280 x 110cm) and dramatically shaped wood legs, there’s no reason to disagree.

“I decided to create this table as a game of wood, to have more focus on the structure of the table,” explained Landoni at the Potocco stand within the Salone del Mobile 2017. The wood appears to be bent to Landoni’s will, decorated by burnished brass connecting rings.

But equally attention grabbing is the cement. “There is a trend to bring materials from other contexts to furniture context,” said Landoni. Working with the cement was not difficult, he explained; the most difficult part, perhaps, is encouraging clients to understand the use of this unexpected material. “But clients are well educated nowadays, so it’s no problem,” he said. “You interpret the material along with the product,” he added, when we suggested that he is testing traditional conceptions of luxury. It’s something we’d love to see more of!

Contrasts can be found throughout Potocco’s 2017 Collection – for example, in the 1950s-inspired indoor-outdoor Loom range by David Lopez Quincoces, with its cantilevering frame of mahogany and its inset panels of woven cane (indoor) or rope (outdoor). Then there’s the contrast between the monolithic marble base and the thin glass or black walnut top of the Anfora table by Alexander Lorenz.

 In Singapore, Potocco is available at The Beuro.