The Auction

Object: Coffee table, 2012 | Description: Ash wood, Travertine marble, cotton & silk upholstery
Dimensions: 70cm (base diameter) x 49 x 90cm (top diameter)

The inspiration for this coffee table comes from a very old story of my childhood. I grew up seeing men roaming the neighbourhood carrying sacks filled with merchandise that they sold to housewives. They used to announce their presence using the word ‘Lelam’ which is a Malayalam word meaning ‘Auction’, which refers to the type of transaction these men made with the housewives. From this sack image and the way it was used back in those days, THE AUCTION coffee table was born. The top surface is used as a tabletop while below is a storage compartment that is wrapped with fabric and knotted on the top to cover and hide possessions.