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There’s an old saying that starts with something like “Who does not love wine, women and song?” Well, Dutch furniture designer Mario Philippona loves women, at least. In fact, he loves the shape of the female body and the parts of a woman’s anatomy so much that they inspire his work to a great degree.

Take this piece he calls Widespread, for example. The shape of the table’s legs – feet encased in high heels – would give away the fact that it takes its inspiration from something that many find sexy in a woman. Just those alone, plus maybe the attractive Dutch elm wood of which it is made, are already great topics for conversation if it’s featured as part of a bar furniture set. But once they take a closer look at the table top and realize what the groove where the wine bottle rests is, then whoa! I can imagine surprised silence, then either gasps of shock, or laughter. And more conversation, of course. In any case, it would be hard to argue against the fact that it’s a fine example of craftsmanship.

Philippona is a trained cabinetmaker, but he has also designed other pieces of furniture. His experience with wood sculpture started when he was studying at the Institute for Architectural Arts Development in Maassluis in the Netherlands. His craftsmanship in this medium was further enhanced upon further training under Friede Kloen in the Netherlands and Ole Langerhorst in France.

Clean lines, definite forms, the use of organic materials – these are some of the hallmarks of Philippona’s wooden furniture. His brand of ecological responsibility encompasses the use of timber from his own region. His furniture’s aesthetic appeal is enhanced (as if the female form wasn’t perfect enough!) with natural oil and wax finishes.

Wooden furniture that is functional yet sexy might not be every bar owner’s cup of tea (or glass of wine) but I’m sure it has its appreciative audience. Now, is there something of similar class and quality as Philippona’s work, but this time inspired by the male body?