"Nomos" Table
British architect Sir Norman Foster explores the limits of technology in his designs, often pushing the boundaries of architectural engineering in creating his innovative building structures. Foster applies the same rigorous criteria of technology and function to product design. "Nomos" is a multipurpose table designed for ultimate flexibility, intended for use in both office and domestic locations. Like Foster's building designs, the aesthetic effect of "Nomos" relies upon its technical structure, in this case its angular metal frame, because of which the table has often been compared to a lunar landing unit. However, Foster has also likened it to the slender body and long, slim legs of the grasshopper. This anatomical analogy is carried into the table's "vertebrae," a spinal column-like conduit that runs throughout the table, easily accommodating cables and electric cords so pervasive in the modern office and home.
Artwork Details
- Title: "Nomos" Table
- Designer: Sir Norman Foster (British, born 1935)
- Manufacturer: Tecno S.p.A.
- Date: 1987
- Medium: Glass, stainless steel, plastics (rubber, polyamide/nylon, polyurethane ether)
- Dimensions: 25 3/4 × 47 × 47 in. (65.4 × 119.4 × 119.4 cm)
Base: 25 1/2 × 32 1/2 × 32 1/2 in. (64.8 × 82.6 × 82.6 cm)
Table top: 1/2 × 47 in. (1.3 × 119.4 cm) - Classification: Furniture
- Credit Line: Gift of Arch. Valeria Borsani and Dr. Gianluigi Tacchi, 1998
- Object Number: 1998.379ab
- Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Samuel Ross
2022
Frank Bowling
1969–70
Joe Colombo
Flexform
1969–70
Barbara Hepworth
1937–38, cast 1963
Henry Moore
1968
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.