Devin Wilde Makes Monumental Moves With Venerable Ceramic Furniture

Artist Devin Wilde returns with his sophomore collection, Series No. II, in a showcase of ceramic furniture comprising cocktail and side tables.

May 12, 2025 - 15:21

Devin Wilde Makes Monumental Moves With Venerable Ceramic Furniture

The plinths, pedestals, and socles that once served the world’s greatest temples – showcasing fine sculptures, fire bowls, and glyptic designs – are precursors to ceramicist Devin Wilde’s first collection of ceramic furniture entitled Series No. II. On the heels of his successful inaugural launch, the maker scales his practice up and shifts focus from tabletop vessels to the venerable bases that support them. His pious approach treats these furnishings as elements integral to daily rituals in dialogue with the objects they often display.

A green ridged side table holds a small glass vase with white flowers and a ceramic bowl next to a brown cushioned armchair.

Series No. II, Side Table No. IV in Copper Patina

“The aesthetic of Greek and Roman classicism, specifically as it relates to the ceremonious, is central to my aesthetic and evermore present in this collection. The dimension of these pieces lends itself perfectly to creating altars,” Wilde affirms. “I wanted to design artifacts that could be part of daily rituals, an integral component of the home.”

A glass of drink sits on a small gold side table between a light gray sofa and a dark brown armchair in a modern living room with green carpet and a potted plant.

Series No. II, Cocktail Table No. IV in Ochre

His intention behind Series II and the function of its beauty mirrors that of painters, photographers, and collage artists who consider the frame integral to the overall composition and the audience experience while viewing it. The grouping proclaims its presence most loudly through whimsical forms that celebrate its own identity as much as it serves the activity atop it. With four primary silhouettes, solutions include five side or end tables and three for cocktail service.

A small bronze side table holds a red book and a decorative object next to a beige sofa with an orange cushion on a woven rug.

Series No. II, End Table No. III in Aged Brass

“I think my background in architecture – having learned to design with a level of empathy, keeping human interaction front of mind – was very helpful in developing pieces that are more integrated into daily life than a vessel alone might be.”

A modern bedroom scene with a taupe bed, a brown nightstand holding a glass of water, a small book, and a vase with colorful flowers against a beige wall.

Series No. II, Side Table No. II in Iron

Now presented as more monumental, a handful of editions reference their vessel counterparts: Side Table No. I is highly animated in an Art Deco, near-Memphis-style composition that balances geometric shapes in a series of solid triangular volumes and void, tubular extrusions; cylindrical Side Table No. III carries the most visual weight with substantial girth tempered by vertical ribbing that terminates in ball finials; and Cocktail Table No. IV, available in two heights, echoes the same column design as its sibling reworked with a flat capital.

A metal bowl with a lit incense stick, emitting smoke, sits atop a blue ceramic pedestal on a tiled floor.

Series No. II, Cocktail Table No. II in Dark Chrome

But Table No. II emerges with a new silhouette that bridges any visual gap within Wilde’s now iconic sculptural language. Available in two heights, the tall rectangular base elevates its bowl-like topper for a museum-quality display. And with four ball finials, one accentuating every corner, the embellishment is complete.

A white pedestal with a round bowl, spoon, and glass sits in front of a dark green sofa; a potted plant and abstract art are in the background.

Series No. II, Cocktail Table No. II in Ivory

Modern, minimalist design, as with ceramics, requires careful calibration through an iterative process balancing attributes like proportion, shape, color, and line work – anything less rigorous would result in something reductive. Here, material adds another layer of challenge for Wilde to solve when fully realizing his concepts. Internal clay structures act as trusses and buttresses within Series II to support the flat surfaces, fine geometry, and considerable weight of its larger forms.

A dark armchair sits on a green rug in front of a wooden cabinet, with a mirror, lamp, plant, and books arranged as decor. A sculptural white side table holds rolled magazines.

Series No. II, Side Table No. I in Ivory

Patience, however, may be the most important aspect regarding this collection, which the artist admits has been an ambition prior to his first release. Vessels marked the first step in experimentation on the way to furniture.

A modern geometric side table with cylindrical and angular shapes sits next to a dark armchair on a green carpet.

Series No. II, Side Table No. I in Ivory

“It’s been affirming to hear that people see and appreciate the evolution from my debut collection to Series No. II,” adds Wilde. “When they see how there’s an aesthetic throughline but also a big step in a new direction.”

A modern living room features a sculptural side table with a vase of flowers and a closed book, next to a mustard yellow velvet sofa and other wooden furnishings.

Series No. II, End Table No. I in Pewter

A person sits surrounded by various modern, geometric stools and tables in a room with brown walls and a large green plant.

Artist and ceramicist Devin Wilde among Series No. II tables

For more information on Devin Wilde and Series No. II, visit devinwilde.com.

Photography by Eric Petschek.
Styling by Anthony Amiano with styling assistance by Kelly Burke.