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Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

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Item Ships From: Europe
Charlotte Perriand, Mid-Century Modern, Wood Metal Cansado Table, circa 1950
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table designed by Charlotte Perriand, circa 1950. Wood, metal frame legs. Provenance: Cansado, Mauritania (Africa). In good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Charlotte Perriand (1903-1999) she was born in Paris in 1903 and attended the E´cole de l'Union centrale des Arts de´coratifs from 1920-1925. Charlotte Perriand designed furniture made of anodized aluminium and chromium-plated steel, showing it at the 1927 "Salon d'Automne" in Paris. After meeting Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand worked with him and Pierre Jeanneret until 1937. The revolutionary tubular steel furnishings and system furniture designed by the three were presented as "E´quipement de l'habitation" (home equipment) at the 1929 "Salon d'Automne," where they were widely acclaimed. In 1930 the Union Des Artistes Modernes (UAM) was founded in Paris, a group that viewed itself as a countermovement challenging such establishment organizations as the "Salon d'Automne" and also advocated Art Deco and Modernism. From 1931 Charlotte Perriand showed her own work solo there. In 1937 Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret collaborated on designing a mountain chalet of sheet aluminum, which they showed at the "Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne" and later they came up with plans for prefab houses...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Ermos Desk
Located in Paris, FR
Desk Ermos with structure in solid oak in dark grey veneer, with mahogany wood. Desk with 5 drawers with ring handles in bronze finish.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Ermos Desk
Ermos Desk
$5,520 / item
Antique Baroque Dining / Desk Table in Oak, Danish Cabinetmaker, 19th Century
Located in Odense, DK
This Antique Baroque versatile dining / desk table, crafted by a skilled Danish cabinetmaker in the 19th century, exudes timeless elegance and a modern appeal. The sturdy oak wood is...
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Brutalist Antique Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

7x Original Egon Eiermann Schreibtisch Richard Lampert Metall
By Richard Lampert, Egon Eiermann
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten 7 wunderschöne und klassische Schreibtische von Egon Eiermann zum Verkauf an. Das Design stammt von Richard Lamprecht aus den 1950er Jahren, der diesen Tisch als Professor...
Category

2010s German Mid-Century Modern Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

1930s, Italian Art Deco Desk Writing Table Four Drawers in Blond Walnut
Located in Vigonza, Padua
1930s Italian Art Deco desk writing table four drawers in blond walnut, wax polished, rubber top. Knee passage height 62 cm. This handsome desk ...
Category

1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Mid century Modern Dyrlund Desk - Denmark 1960s
By Dyrlund
Located in Uccle, BE
Mid century Modern Dyrlund Desk - Denmark 1960s
Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

SUPERMETAL Table Designed by Chiara Ferrari
By Chiara Ferrari
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The supermetal table, taking its name by the solely use of metal, is inspired by the lightness of energy infrastructures. The table features a thin, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Jules Wabbes
By Jules Wabbes
Located in Ghent, BE
This refined and poised desk-table, designed by Belgian architect and furniture designer Jules Wabbes, is crafted from solid padauk wood slats and rests on adjustable disc-shaped fee...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Padouk

Italian Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Wood Console Table or Writing Desk
Located in Firenze, IT
This Italian early 20th century cherrywood console table or writing desk is a fine Art Nouveau period piece of furniture. Its beautiful mellow honey colour and stylishly curved pilla...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Scrittoio Anni 40 in noce e radica
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Scrittoio con cassetti laterali in legno impiallacciato noce e con il piano in legno impiallacciato radica. Buone condizioni.
Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Restored Bauhaus Writing Desk, by Marcel Breuer for Thonet, Czech, 1930s
By Thonet, Marcel Breuer
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This iconic writing desk from the 1930s is a remarkable example of Bauhaus design. Designed by Marcel Breuer and manufactured by Thonet, it perfectly combines functionality with aest...
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Jacques Adnet writing desk in leather France 1950
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This stunning avant-garde desk, designed by Jacques Adnet and crafted in his own atelier in France during the 1950s, is a masterful blend of luxury and innovation. The frame is fashi...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Wooden Desk with 6 Drawers, Italy, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern wooden desk with 6 drawers, Italy, 1960s.
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Red Large Secrétaire, Design by Eric Gizard, Paris
By Éric Gizard
Located in Landivy, FR
This large secretary desk is mounted in our French workshops and delivered fully assembled. The overall dimensions of the box itself are Widt...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Ash, Lacquer

Bodil Kjær Office Desk Table, Wood and Steel by Karakter
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table designed by Bodil Kjær in 1959. We are proud to present our first design from a Danish designer. In this case, Danish architect, professor, and designer, Bodil Kjær. The iconic desk, designed in 1959, was the first of its kind with its pure and simplistic design, almost floating mid-air. Bodil Kjærs’ design has been called ‘The most beautiful desk in the world’ – or, the ‘James Bond desk...
Category

2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

French Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze-Mounted Kingwood Writing Desk
Located in London, GB
This beautiful desk, beautifully finished in kingwood, leather and gilt bronze, is a fantastic piece of 19th century French design in the Louis XV style. Elegant, beautifully crafted...
Category

19th Century French Louis XV Antique Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Ebonized oval Desk, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Elegant 19th-century desk with an oval tabletop, fully ebonized and adorned with finely crafted brass appliqués. The perimeter is framed by a continuous brass border. At the center, ...
Category

19th Century Antique Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Classic by Carpanelli Zebrano Writing Desk
By Carpanelli
Located in Desio, IT
The structure of this elegant writing desk is solid wood plated with cherry-wood, zebrano, briar-wood and other precious woods. In the cylindrical...
Category

2010s Italian Neoclassical Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Desk/ Table by Borsani, Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Desk/ Table by Borsani, Italy, 1950s
Category

1950s Vintage Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Ejner Larsen Aksel Bender Madsen. A handcrafted model 2084 writing desk.
By Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Brønshøj, DK
A rare freestanding Mahogany writing desk. Model 2084. Box-like top that folds out to reveal writing plate covered with original black leather. Under part of this storage compartment...
Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Oak Writing Desk with Aluminum Details Attributed to Kai Kristiansen
By Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik
Located in Madrid, ES
Freestanding desk, model EP 401, with veneered oak frame and table top. Front with six drawers with aluminum handles, back with three open compartments, legs with aluminum shoes. Man...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Veining Brass Patina Desk
Located in Paris, FR
Desk Veining brass patina with structure in solid brass in polished patina finish. With solid varnished palisander wood. With 4 drawers. Exceptional piece.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

1965 Danish Arne Jacobsen Saint Catherines Desk in Oak by Fritz Hansen
By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Knebel, DK
Danish Arne Jacobsen Saint Catherines Desk in Oak by Fritz Hansen The desks are marked with a Fritz Hansen label from July 1965 and have...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

21st Century Two-Drawer Mirrored Glass and Brass Writing Desk or Console
Located in Miami, FL
This is one of five exclusive pieces. Two-drawer mirrored glass and brass writing desk Beautiful and elegant design Perfect finished. Overall dimensions: 127 cm W x 51 cm D x 8...
Category

2010s European Modern Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

FRONT – Minimalist Work Desk in Oak Wood 120x60
By Pedro Sottomayor
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
A statement piece for refined workspaces – handcrafted in solid OAK, this minimalist executive desk blends functionality and sculptural presence. Elevate your workspace with this lu...
Category

2010s European Modern Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut, Plywood

Bravero Laguna Oak And Breccia Imperiale Glass Desk by Morica Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Bravero Laguna Oak And Breccia Imperiale Glass Desk by Morica Design Dimensions: D 48 x W 126 x H 87 cm Materials: Laguna oak, Breccia Imperiale glass, metal. Available in Canaletto...
Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Glass

1950 s Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1950's Stitched leather desk by Jacques Adnet. Metal is in vintage condition. See pictures for details. Other pics on request, overall very good condition.
Category

1960s French Vintage Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Franlk Lloyd Wright Desk
By Frank Lloyd Wright
Located in Winterswijk, NL
The Meyer May Desk, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in collaboration with George Niedecken for the Meyer May House in 1908, was reissued by Cassina in 1996 as part of the "Cassina I M...
Category

1960s Vintage Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique Figured Walnut Queen Anne Style Desk
Located in London, GB
A superb antique figured walnut Queen Anne style desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1900-1910 period. The quality is outstanding, this is beautifully construct...
Category

1930s British Queen Anne Vintage Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Rare Angelo Mangiarotti Writing Desk in Birch from Own Studio
By Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Angelo Mangiarotti for Piero Frigerio, writing desk, birch, Italy, late 20th century A highly rare and valuable piece of furniture that has been used for Angelo Mangiarotti's design...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birch

Early Franco Albini for Knoll Model 80 Desk
By Knoll, Franco Albini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Franco Albini for Knoll, model 80, glass, lacquered wood, lacquered steel, Italy, 1949 Franco Albini’s model 80 desk combines glass, steel and wood which resu...
Category

1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Mahogany Kidney Shaped Dressing Table
Located in Cheshire, GB
Very large William IV mahogany dressing table the large well figured kidney shaped top above moulded freeze with central drawer. All raised up on shaped supports terminating in scrol...
Category

19th Century British Antique Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Mahogany Kidney Shaped Dressing Table
Mahogany Kidney Shaped Dressing Table
$13,232 Sale Price
20% Off
Silvio Cavatorta Writing Desk in Mahogany
By Silvio Cavatorta
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Silvio Cavatorta, writing desk, mahogany, brass, Italy, design 1948-1949 This elegantly shaped mahogany office table, designed by Silvio Cavatorta in the late 1940s, is a testament ...
Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Ernesto Valabrega for Vittorio Valabrega Writing Desk in Oak
By Vittorio Valabrega
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernesto Valabrega for Vittorio Valabrega, desk, oak, Turin, Italy, 1930s This desk, designed by Ernesto Valabrega in the 1930s, reflects a departure from Art Deco influences. The re...
Category

1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Art Deco Dressing Table (made to order)
Located in Paris, FR
A very special quality unique contemporary dressing table in Art Deco style made from pear-tree and taxus.
Category

Early 2000s German Art Deco Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wool

Restored Cubistic Writing Desk, Oak, Walnut, Revived Polish, Czech, 1910s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Desk dimensions: Height: 80 (30.7 in) Width: 121 cm (63 in) Depth: 90 cm (30.3 in) Space for legs: Height: 60 cm (23.6 in) Width: 58 cm (22.4 in) This writing desk from the early 2...
Category

1910s Czech Art Deco Vintage Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut, Lacquer, Oak

Italian mid-century modern blue formica and black metal desk, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern blue formica and black metal desk, 1960s. Small desk, coming from a hotel room, with a matt black tubular metal structure and a rectangular top in light bl...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Vittorio Introini for Saporiti Rare Sculptural Desk in White Fiberglass
By Alberto Rosselli Saporiti, Vittorio Introini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vittorio Introini for Saporiti, free-standing desk, fiberglass, Italy, 1969 This admirable free-standing corner desk was designed by the Italian designer Vittorio Introini. Due to i...
Category

1960s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fiberglass

Mid-Century Modern Writing Desk, Netherlands, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Sleek writing desk featuring a dual-panel tabletop with a crisp white finish and red trim. This piece offers a minimalist aesthetic perfect for any contemporary space. The sturdy met...
Category

1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

1800 ANTiQUE QING DYNASTY LACQUERED ORIENTAL CHINESE CONSOLE TABLE CARVED FLORAL
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London This late Qing Dynasty console table (circa 1880–1910) exemplifies the artistry and craftsmanship of late imperial China. The piece is finished in a deep red lacq...
Category

19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Elm, Lacquer

Art Deco Table J. Halabala
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
Art Deco table by J. Halabala from 1960s. Art Deco table by the famous Czech designer J. Halabala, 1940. Jindrich Halabala, (a Czech designer ranked among the most outstanding creat...
Category

1950s Czech Art Deco Vintage Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique Victorian Leather Top Desk / Writing Table
Located in London, GB
A wonderful antique Victorian leather top desk / writing table. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1840-1860 period. This is of outstanding quality, it is a great si...
Category

1840s British Early Victorian Antique Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Vintage Desk with Chest of Drawers, Italy - 1950s
Located in Uccle, BE
Mid-Century Desk with Chest of Drawers, Italy - 1950s Dimensions D: 61 cm (24.02") H: 71,5 cm W: 119,5 cm
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Industrial Design Metal Desk in Painted and Chromed Metal and Aluminium, Bespoke
By GMD Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Industrial design metal desk, lacquered and chromed metal and aluminium, made to measure.
Category

2010s German Industrial Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum, Metal

English Mahogany Child s Desk
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Small 19th century English mahogany child's desk with leather inserted top. 1880. Opening under desk: 19 x 23-inches clearnace Internal reference: H Code: 9018 Dimensions: W: ...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Pair of early 20th Century mahogany Carlton house desk s
Located in Martlesham, GB
A fabulous quality near pair of freestanding early 20th Century mahogany and inlaid Carlton house desk's, both desks having a super structure comprising of four mahogany inlaid drawe...
Category

1910s British Edwardian Vintage Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

1950 s Compact Surveillant Desk - Atelier Jean Prouve
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1950’s Compact Surveillant Desk – Atelier Jean Prouve. Prouvé is one of the most respected French designers of the 21st Century. Prouve regarded himself as an engineer, famously bo...
Category

1950s French Vintage Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Scrittoio di Svend Åge Madsen per Sigurd Hansen Anni 50
By Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Milano, IT
Scrittoio con doppio cassetto sotto piano e piccola alzata sopra al piano. Legno impiallacciato teak, particolari costruttivi molto curati.
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Bodil Kjær Office Desk Table, Wood and Steel by Karakter
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table designed by Bodil Kjær in 1959. We are proud to present our first design from a Danish designer. In this case, Danish architect, professor, and designer, Bodil Kjær. The iconic desk, designed in 1959, was the first of its kind with its pure and simplistic design, almost floating mid-air. Bodil Kjærs’ design has been called ‘The most beautiful desk in the world’ – or, the ‘James Bond desk...
Category

2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Jugendstil desk designed by August Knobloch’s Nachfolger ca. 1908
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
This exquisite desk was made by the furniture factory August Knobloch's Nachfolger. In the period around 1900, the cabinetmaker's factory belonged to the circle of Vienna's most impo...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Alpaca, Oak

French Provincial Oak Table with Two Drawers, France, 19th Century
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 19th Century / Table / oak / Rustic / France Provincial A charming example of 19th-century French Provincial craftsmanship, this rustic oak table embodies the warmth and si...
Category

19th Century French French Provincial Antique Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Scrittoio Fratino, XX secolo
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
Scrittoio Fratino restaurato e rivisitato. Le classiche gambe a lira sono di noce massello, mordenzate color ebano. La parte superiore è stata pulita e rifinita a cera bituminosa. Si...
Category

20th Century Italian Neoclassical Revival Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Chippendale Walnut Desk
By Jonathan Sainsbury
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
The egg-and-dart moulded and serpentine shaped top with leather writing surface, the opposing sides fitted with a frieze drawer flanked by four graduated drawers to each pedestal, li...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Chippendale Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Charles Bevan, Attri. A Gothic Revival Oak Library or Sofa Table with Marble Top
By Charles Bevan, John Marsh and Edward Jones
Located in London, GB
Charles Bevan, attri. probably made by Marsh Jones and Cribb of Leeds. A super quality Gothic Revival oak library or Sofa table with semi-circular veined marble top, arched supports...
Category

1880s English Gothic Revival Antique Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

Late 19th Century Massive Tyrol Desk or Working Table, Restored and Wax Finished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Antique rustic Tyrol desk or working table, in solid wood restored and wax finished Measures cm: H 78, W 80, D 100.
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Country Antique Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Victorian Mahogany Dickens Desk
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a Victorian mahogany dickens desk, having four drawers on each side of the top, locked with a side locker, with three green leather inserts an...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Canaan Desk by Marcel Breuer produced by Gavina spa in 1962
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Ozzano Dell emilia, IT
Canaan desk by Marcel Breuer, produced by Gavina spa in 1962. Desk with drawers and filing cabinet. Rosewood structure. Dino Gavina was in Breuer’s coun...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Jules Wabbes Writing or Dining Table in Solid Wengé and Steel
By Jules Wabbes
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jules Wabbes, dining or writing table, wengé, chrome-plated steel, Belgium, 1960s The model embraces a wengé wooden top crafted from rectangular-shaped sawn slats, resulting in a me...
Category

1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Set of Platone Foldable Desk Plia Chair by G.Piretti for Anonima Castelli
By Giancarlo Piretti, Anonima Castelli
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
The Platone desk, designed by Giancarlo Piretti in the 1970s for Anonima Castelli, represents a pivotal moment in modern design. Celebrated worldwide, it holds a place in the permane...
Category

1970s Italian Minimalist Vintage Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Franco Albini Mahogany mid-centry Italian Table Model TL-22 produced by Poggi
By Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, ES
Franco Albini & Franca Helg. Dining table model no. TL22. Manufactured by Poggi, Italy, 1958. Mahogany. Measurements: 180.3 cm x 104.1 cm x 73 H cm. 70.98 in x 40.98 in x 28.74 in. Literature: Giuliana Gramigna, Repertorio 1950/1980, Milan, 1985, p. 123. Franco Albini, was born in 1905 and died in 1977. He spent his childhood and part of his youth in Robbiate in Brianza, where he was born. Albini, as an adolescent moved with his family to Milan. Here he enrolled in the Faculty of Architecture of the Polytechnic and graduated in 1929. He started his professional activity in the studio of Gio Ponti and Emilio Lancia, with whom he collaborated for three years. At the 1929 International Exhibition in Barcelona (where Gio Ponti curated the Italian pavilion and Mies van der Rohe realized that of Germany) and in Paris where, as Franca Helg recounted, he had the opportunity to visit the studio by Le Corbusier. In those three years, the works he carried out are admittedly of the twentieth century imprint. It is the meeting with Edoardo Persico that marked a clear turning point towards rationalism and the approach to the group of editors of "Casabella". The partly ironic and partly very harsh comments of the Neapolitan critic to a series of drawings, made by Albini for the design of some office furniture, caused him a great disturbance. “I spent days of real anguish - Albini recalls - I had to answer all the questions. I also had a fever, a large and long fever. " The meted provoked Albini to openen a professional studio in via Panizza with Renato Camus and Giancarlo Palanti. The group of architects began to deal with public housing by participating in the competition for the Baracca district in San Siro in 1932 and then building the IFACP neighborhoods: Fabio Filzi (1936/38), Gabriele D'Annunzio and Ettore Ponti (1939). During this period, Albini also worked on his first villa (Pestarini), which Giuseppe Pagano, architect and critic of the time, presented as follows: “This coherence, which the superficial rhetoric of fashionable jugglers calls intransigence, and which is instead the basis of understood between the fantasy of art and the reality of the craft, in Franco Albini, it is so rooted that it transforms theory into a moral attitude ". But it is above all in the context of the exhibitions that the Milanese master experienced his compromise between that "rigor and poetic fantasy" of which Pagano speaks, coining the elements that became a recurring theme in his . The opening in 1933 of the new Triennale headquarters in Milan, in the Palazzo dell'Arte, was an important opportunity to express the strong innovative character of rationalist thinking, a gym in which to freely experiment with new materials and new solutions, but above all a "method". "Cultivated as a communication laboratory, the art of setting up was for the rationalists of the first generation what the perspective had been for the architects of humanism: the field open to a hypothesis of space that needed profound reflections before landing the concreteness of the construction site ". Together with Giancarlo Palanti, Albini on the occasion of the V Triennale di Milano set up the steel structure house (with R. Camus, G. Mazzoleni, G. Minoletti and with the coordination of G. Pagano), for which he also designed the 'furniture. At the following Triennale of 1936, Persico dided, together with a group of young designers gathered by Pagano in the previous edition of 1933, Franco Albini took care of the preparations of the home exhibition. The setting up of Stanza per un uomo, at that same Triennale, allows us to understand the acute and ironic approach of Albini, as a man and as a designer: "Celebrating the beauty of mechanics was the imperative to which, for example, the surprising displays by Franco Albini who managed, in the subtle way of a refined and rarefied style, to sublimate their practical content in the metaphysics of daring still lifes: flying objects which marked in the void refined frames and metal intricacies the nodes of a fantastic cartography where industry finally became art free from purpose ". That same year Albini and Romano designed the exhibition of the Ancient Italian Goldsmithery: vertical uprights, simple linear rods, designed the space. A theme, of the "flagpole", seemed to be the center of the evolution of production and the creative process. The concept is reworked over time, with the technique of decomposition and recomposition typical of Albinian design: in the preparation of the Scipione Exhibition and contemporary drawings (1941) the tapered flagpoles, on which the paintings and display cases were hung, are supported by a grid of steel cables; in the Vanzetti stand (1942) they take the V-shape; in the Olivetti shop in Paris (1956) the polished mahogany uprights support the shelves for the display of typewriters and calculators. The flagpole is found, however, also in other areas. In the apartments he designed, it is used as a pivot on which the paintings can be suspended and rotated to allow different points of view, but at the same time as an element capable of dividing the spaces. The Veliero bookcase...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Europe - Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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