# Torturous Furniture Designs The Torquemada Collection is Inspired by the Spanish Inquisition By Joey Haar | Published 2017-04-12 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/torquemada-collection References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2017/04/11/philippe-stark-manacled-torture-devices-chairs-driade/) & [driade](http://www.driade.com/en/designer/philippe-starck) The Spanish Inquisition was a gruesome historical moment, but that hasn't deterred Philippe Starck from taking inspiration from it with his Torquemada collection. The [furniture series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/furniture-collection1), which includes a table, a chair, an armchair, and a stool, uses minimalist design features to subtly reference the grisly torture devices that were used during the Spanish Inquisition — all while remaining attractive (if slightly macabre) pieces of home decor. The Torquemada collection is of course named after Tomas de Torquemada, the Grand Inquisitor who led that dark period in Spanish history in the late 15th century. Though the referential aspects of the collection are indeed subtle, they nonetheless make for [striking pieces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lightness-of-form). The legs of the chairs are bound together by [thick chrome rings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cork-collection) that look like shackles, and the table's raw, faded wood is distinctly reminiscent of the rack. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.4/10 - Popularity: 86% | Activity: 38% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/furniture) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Subtle References in Design:** Exploring how design elements can subtly reference historical or cultural moments, creating unique and thought-provoking pieces. - **Minimalist Furniture Design:** Embracing minimalist design principles to create visually appealing furniture that balances simplicity and functionality. - **Macabre Home Decor:** Catering to consumers who have a taste for dark and unconventional home decor, combining aesthetics and historical inspiration. ### Who This Affects Most - **Furniture Manufacturing:** Opportunities for furniture manufacturers to create unique and innovative pieces by incorporating subtle historical references into their designs. - **Interior Design:** Providing interior designers with options to cater to clients looking for unconventional and visually captivating home decor. - **Art and Sculpture:** Creating art and sculptures that embrace historical themes and references, appealing to collectors and enthusiasts seeking distinctive pieces. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Frying Pan-Inspired Furniture Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pole.md) - [Skeletally Inspired Lounge Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chaise-espinhal.md) - [Juxtaposing Themed Furniture Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emprea-series.md) - [Ceiba Tree-Inspired Spiked Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ceiba-series.md) - [Stealthy Home Furnishing Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/credo-collection.md) - [Textured Modern Furniture Lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/touch-collections.md) - [Latin Playground-Inspired Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-sum-of-small-parts.md) - [Reworked Steel Forms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barred-collection.md) - [Suspenseful Statement Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/edgeofyr.md)