Julio David Muñiz (B 1959) American, Mid-Century Modern Lucite and Glass Table. Arched Lucite balances the glass top in a sleek design. 

Size: 42 x 18 x 16 in. 

#2618 #72 . 

Julio David Muñiz was born in Miami, Florida in 1959. The son of Galacian immigrants, his father Leonardo had been involved in glassworking before immigrating to the United States, and shifted to a focus on acrylics in the early 1960s. He opened Muñiz Plastics, Inc. in 1965, teaching David early on how to drill, polish, and glue acrylics together. When David was 17 his father suffered an injury on the job, and he went to work fulltime in the factory, taking over as president. Despite no secondary education and no formal artistic training, he became known in the local Miami area for his eclectic, colorful, one-of-a-kind acrylic sculptures, which he custom built as a side occupation while maintaining the factory business of making tables, lamps, and chairs. In 1989 he collaborated with the artist Philip Whitaker on a project in Lucite, which was never completed but led to Philip becoming the vice president of the company. Over the next decade they expanded the line of products to include acrylic awards and dining sets, and in the 21st Century they continue to produce made-to-order furniture for exclusive clientele throughout Florida and the East Coast.

Condition: Minor scratches and chips throughout.