Maximo Riera has a singular vision when it comes to furniture. For some time now he has been mining the animal kingdom for inspiration for his anatomically accurate, yet surreally gothic, seating. Now he’s turned to the most numerous creatures on the planet, the insects, for his latest piece, the Beetle chair, based on the European Rhinoceros Beetle. He has already, of course, done an actual rhino...

Based in Cadiz, Spanish-born Riera deliberately operates outside the norm: 'I'm alarmed by the established rules, normality and standards which produce the mediocrity so often mistaken for success in our society.' His pieces are made from high-density polyurathane, and the seat itself is finished in leather. Adding to his singular vision his full-colour palette, like the old Model-T Fords, is black (though as they are made to order other hues can be chosen). With Beetle costing £32,000 though, they are not likely to become as ubiquitous as the old Tin Lizzies were.

Images courtesy Maximo Riera