Jean Touret Cigar Table

Jean Touret Cigar Table Vintage.  Found in a flea market in Lyon.  Made of wood.  Waxed finish.  16” W x 16” D x 23.25” H Editor's notes This piece is a wonderful example of the sculptural, deeply handmade aesthetic associated with Jean Touret and Les Artisans de Marolles, the influential French artisan collective he founded in the Loire Valley in the early 1950s. Touret was less a conventional furniture designer than a sculptor, and that sensibility is evident in pieces like this, where utility and artistry become inseparable. About Jean Touret & Les Artisans de Marolles Jean Touret (1916–2004) was a French sculptor, designer, and visionary craftsman whose work helped define a distinctly French interpretation of postwar rustic modernism. In 1952, he founded Les Artisans de Marolles, a cooperative workshop in the Loire Valley dedicated to preserving traditional woodworking techniques while creating furniture and objects that celebrated the expressive beauty of natural materials. Working primarily in solid oak, elm, and chestnut, Touret and his artisans produced pieces distinguished by their sculptural forms, visible handwork, and deep respect for craftsmanship. Drawing inspiration from medieval furniture, folk traditions, and modern sculpture, their work occupies a unique space between functional design and art. Today, the creations of Les Artisans de Marolles are highly sought after by collectors and designers alike for their warmth, authenticity, and timeless character. Each piece reflects Touret's belief that furniture should bear the unmistakable mark of the human hand, celebrating imperfection, materiality, and the enduring value of traditional craft.