Paul Kingma Brutalist Round Coffee Table, 1989 — A Story of Love, Courage & Transformation

A One-of-a-Kind Commission for Johan and Simon | Netherlands, 1989

Some works of art tell the story of their creator. Others preserve the story of the people for whom they were made.

In 1989, Dutch sculptor and designer Paul Kingma (†2013) created this extraordinary Brutalist coffee table as a personal commission for Johan, who wished to give his partner Simon something that would celebrate not only their love, but also the difficult journey that had brought them together.

At a time when openly expressing one's sexuality still required considerable courage, Simon's journey towards accepting and revealing his true identity had been anything but straightforward. For years, he had struggled with the expectations of others, the fear of rejection, and the uncertainty of what life might look like if he chose to live openly.

Johan had witnessed that journey. He understood the sacrifices, the moments of doubt, and, ultimately, the extraordinary strength it took for Simon to embrace who he truly was.

Rather than commemorating a conventional anniversary, Johan wanted to celebrate something far more meaningful: the freedom to become yourself, and the love that makes that freedom possible.

The Spiral — A Journey Towards Becoming Yourself

At the heart of Kingma's composition lies a remarkable white spiral, formed by a fossilised gastropod.

Millions of years old, the fossil became the central symbol of the commission.

Its spiral represents personal transformation, continuous growth, and cosmic alignment — the belief that life's seemingly disconnected experiences can eventually lead us towards the place where we truly belong.

For Simon, the spiral carried an especially intimate meaning.

Coming out had not been a single moment of revelation. It had been a long, sometimes painful process of questioning, retreating, finding courage, and moving forward again.

Like the spiral itself, his journey had never followed a straight line.

Yet every turn, including the difficult ones, had brought him closer to his authentic self.

The fossil also speaks to the passage of time. Formed long before human society began defining whom we should love, it quietly reminds us that nature has always existed beyond the boundaries and expectations we create.

What once represented uncertainty had become a symbol of belonging.

The Agate — A Celebration of Love Without Boundaries

Positioned beside the white spiral is a small but striking multicoloured agate, with concentric layers of deep blue, warm red, soft amber, and luminous white.

For Johan, this colourful gemstone was essential to the design.

Its naturally occurring spectrum of colours was chosen to represent the diversity, individuality, and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community — a community in which Simon had gradually discovered acceptance, friendship, and the freedom to express himself.

Much like the people it symbolises, no two agates are ever exactly alike.

Its different layers, formed over immense periods of geological time, reflect the experiences that shape our identities. Each colour retains its individuality, yet together they create something more beautiful than any single layer could achieve alone.

The stone was deliberately placed close to the fossil.

The spiral represents Simon's personal journey. The agate represents the community that helped him find his place in the world.

Together, they form the emotional centre of the table.

The Composition — Different Paths, One Shared Life

Surrounding these two symbolic elements, Kingma assembled a rich architectural mosaic of slate, natural stone, mineral fragments, and dark cement.

The composition is divided into distinct sections, each with its own texture, colour, and character.

Some areas are rough and fragmented. Others appear quieter, smoother, and more harmonious.

These contrasting surfaces can be interpreted as the different chapters of Simon's life: moments of conflict and uncertainty gradually giving way to acceptance, stability, and peace.

Rather than disguising the imperfections of the materials, Kingma embraced them. The irregularities, geological marks, and variations in colour became essential to the beauty of the work.

There is a powerful parallel here with the story behind the commission: our experiences do not diminish who we are; they become part of what makes us unique.

The circular shape of the table completes the symbolism.

Without a beginning or an end, the circle represents continuity, unity, and an enduring connection between two people.

For Johan and Simon, it was a reminder that although their individual journeys had been different, they had ultimately chosen to build a shared life together.

More Than a Coffee Table — A Personal Monument

Kingma was renowned for his fascination with geology, archaeology, and the natural world. Throughout his career, he collected stones, fossils, and minerals, incorporating these discoveries into highly individual, handcrafted furniture.

Each commission was an opportunity to transform ordinary materials into something deeply personal.

This remarkable 1989 example perfectly embodies that philosophy.

Its substantial circular top, measuring 118 cm in diameter, rests upon a restrained black-lacquered cylindrical metal base. The combination of an almost monumental stone composition and a minimal architectural foundation gives the piece a striking sculptural presence.

The dark, earthy palette creates a sense of permanence, while the fossil and colourful agate invite closer inspection, revealing the intimate narrative hidden within the surface.

What initially appears to be an imposing example of Dutch Brutalist design gradually reveals itself as something unexpectedly tender.

A declaration of love. A celebration of identity. A tribute to the courage required to live authentically.

More than three decades after its creation, the message behind Johan's gift to Simon remains as relevant as ever.

Love is not about changing someone into the person the world expects them to be. It is about giving them the freedom to become who they have always been.

And perhaps that is what makes this particular Paul Kingma table so special.

It was never simply designed to occupy a room.

It was created to preserve a journey worth remembering.

A Collectible Work of Dutch Brutalist Design

Handcrafted in the Netherlands in 1989, this signed Paul Kingma coffee table is an exceptional example of the sculptor's distinctive approach to functional art.

Its one-of-a-kind composition, rich geological materials, and deeply personal symbolism make it particularly appealing to collectors of Dutch Mid-Century Modern furniture, Brutalist design, and sculptural statement pieces.

Beautifully suited to a sophisticated contemporary interior, a minimalist architectural residence, or an eclectic collection of twentieth-century design.

Product Details

• Designer: Paul Kingma (1931–2013)

• Origin: The Netherlands

• Year: 1989

• Style: Brutalist / Mid-Century Modern / Sculptural Design

• Materials: Slate, natural stone, concrete, fossil, agate, gemstones, and black-lacquered metal

• Provenance: Signed by the artist

• Condition: Excellent original vintage condition

Dimensions

• Diameter: 118 cm / 46.46 inches

• Height: 34 cm / 13.39 inches

• Tabletop thickness: 3 cm / 1.18 inches

• Tabletop weight: Approximately 90 kg / 198 lbs

A unique piece of functional art, where geological history, sculptural craftsmanship, and the universal human desire for love and acceptance come together.

Photography note: Image 1 has been generated or adjusted using AI and may contain minor deviations from the original design. All remaining photographs are unaltered and accurately represent the table.

FOUND ICONS — Curated Vintage Design & Collectible Furniture.