What do cars and tables have in common? Generally not this much. The Black Widow Table is “inspired by speed and conceived with race cars technology and materials, sharp-shaped, ever-moving.” It’s all about the structure: a central structural-carbon beam is supported by aluminum legs, “derived and milled from a single piece of aluminum”  and interlaced with carbon fiber.  It is described by Aznom as “a modern chassis that evoke race cars.”  To me, it resembles a robotic spider, an aesthetic nod to the realm of sci-fi.

Black Widow Table. Designed by Aznom.

We’re used to wood, glass, metal and even products such as Cristalplant, Corian, and lesser-known Pb-R.  Carbon fibre and aluminum have long been a part of another world devoted to speed, technology and lightness.  5x stronger than steel, the presence of carbon fiber in Black Widow’s structural frame brings us to the assumption that the table boasts remarkable strength.  Given its price tag, €12,960.00EUR or an impressive ~$19K, one would hope it can support an elephant.

The glass serves as a means of exposing the “chassis” below, like a display case exposing the prized possessions beneath its protective surface.  With references of speed and strength, it seems more befitting of a gym (or at least an office) rather than a dining room.  Whether you see sci-fi, spider robot or race-car, feelings of relaxation and comfort aren’t awakened.  Aznom is an Italian company that designs, manufactures and markets exclusive objects with its own brand and for companies including Sassicaia, Bollinger, Codatronca, Caterham.

Although carbon fiber is rare in the furniture world, it is not unheard of.  Dutch designer Bram Geenen’s Gaudí stool is ultra-light and super strong due to its carbon-fiber materiality. Dario Antonioni’s Carbon 22 stools, designed for Orange22, borrow their carbon-fiber technology from Aeronautical Engineering practices, and Droog’s Knotted Chair by Marcel Wanders adopts carbon-fiber technology as well.  For each of these pieces, the form seems to have necessitated the use of this pricey material.  With Black Widow, this doesn’t seem to be the case.  The form is such that steel, 1/5 the strength of carbon fiber, would have been capable and the lightness is seemingly unnecessary.  All in all, it’s not about functionality or efficiency, but impression.