Provenance
Dulciora offices, Milan
Thence by descent
Literature
'Il pannello-cruscotto per la scrivania di un dirigente d'azienda', Domus, no. 228, September 1948, pp. 22-23 for drawings of a similar example
Cornelio Brandini, Gio Ponti, Arte Applicata, exh. cat., Centro Internazionale di Brera, Milan, 1987, fig. 101 for a similar example
Ugo La Pietra, ed., Gio Ponti, New York, 2009, p. 190, figs. 396-399 for images and drawings of a similar example
Laura Falconi, ed., Gio Ponti: Interiors, Objects, Drawings, 1920-1976, Milan, 2010, p. 241 for drawings of a similar example
Catalogue Essay
“I loathe oversized desks full of drawers”
Works from the Dulciora offices, Milan

In an article published in the 228th issue of Domus in September 1948, Gió Ponti describes the creation of the pannello-cruscotto (wall-panel). Conceived to complement the writing desk of an executive director – and later produced with some alterations for the Dulciora offices in Milan - this piece is part of a coherent search for innovation within the home and office décor, which began in the late 1930s with the Montecatini headquarter in Milan and which continued to develop into the late 1950s.

In 1952 Ponti defined the underlying principle of his design: “I’m constantly moving […] towards the ‘organised walls’ (pareti organizzate), meaning large panels fitted and hanging from the walls […] where the arrangement of different objects is assembled in a predetermined composition” (Domus, no. 266). In 1948 he had already worked on the ‘headboard-panel’ for the bed; a single wall panel containing a set of varied facilities that went beyond the simple purpose of sleeping or reading. Similarly, Ponti’s wall-panel consists of a prearranged design, which comprises light switches, bookshelves, and a waste paper basket and is enriched by two movable pieces of furniture hinged to the wall, containing a telephone, an intercom and a typewriter. It combines several items in a definite area that takes over the function previously assigned to separate pieces: “I’m drawn to the use of wooden wall panels, in which I can assemble different units with these same precision as if I was painting an abstract figure” (Domus, no. 228). Complementing the wall-panel Ponti devised an elegant executive desk, which had to be ‘light’ on drawers and could double both as a working surface and as a conference table.

It is no coincidence that in the same issue of Domus, Ponti included a detailed portrayal of Le Corbusier’s Modulor, explaining the underpinning theory of its design (with the help of tables, graphic and formulas). When describing the ‘organised walls’ in his articles, the Milanese architect alludes to Le Corbusier’s concept of the house as a ‘liveable machine’ and the need to express a modern style by applying universally valid principles and rules. His wall panels represent a tangible, but nonetheless refined response to the French master’s ideas.

Ponti’s invention is a unique modular system to organist the home space: the architect’s aim is clearly to: “create an order for current modern habits […]. It is advisable to perfect this order by simplifying preexisting and fundamental shapes, in order to create a style rather than establishing the contortion of a style” (ibid). Further evidence of the tribute to Modulor is the proportional method that accompanies the orthogonal projection of the executive desk: “using the Golden ratio, the edges of the wall panel surrounding the desk, repeated four times, provide a setting which supports the writing surface and which holds two sets of drawers” (Ibid).

The executive desk and the ‘organised wall’, excluding the hinged semi-movable furniture designed for the Dulciora offices which we are offering at auction represent a slightly simplified version of the projects published in Domus, and were likely used to decorate the secondary offices. A unique set of chairs and an exquisite folding table, inspired by a design developed for Beltrami in the 1930s and which would become a distinctive trait of Ponti’s 1950s works, complete the series of furniture.
Artist Biography
Gio Ponti
Italian • 1891 - 1979
Among the most prolific talents to grace twentieth-century design, Gio Ponti defied categorization. Though trained as an architect, he made major contributions to the decorative arts, designing in such disparate materials as ceramics, glass, wood and metal. A gale force of interdisciplinary creativity, Ponti embraced new materials like plastic and aluminum but employed traditional materials such as marble and wood in original, unconventional ways.
In the industrial realm, he designed buildings, cars, machinery and appliances — notably, the La Cornuta espresso machine for La Pavoni — and founded the ADI (Industrial Designer Association). Among the most special works by Gio Ponti are those that he made in collaboration with master craftsmen such as the cabinetmaker Giordano Chiesa, the illustrator Piero Fornasetti and the enamellist Paolo de Poli.
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227

Gio Ponti

Unique executive desk, designed for the Dulciora offices, Milan

1946-1948
Oak, oak-veneered wood, brass.
79.8 x 199.8 x 74.8 cm (31 3/8 x 78 5/8 x 29 1/2 in.)
Manufactured by Saffa, Milan, Italy. Together with a certificate of authenticity from the Gio Ponti Archives.

Estimate
£35,000 - 45,000

Contact Specialist
Madalena Horta e Costa
Head of Sale
+44 20 7318 4019

Modern Masters

London Auction 26 April 2017

201
Thomas Stearns
Rare 'Cappello del Doge' vase
Estimate £20,000 - 30,000
Sold for £23,750
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202
Gio Ponti
'Distex' armchair, model no. 807, and rare footstool
Estimate £30,000 - 40,000
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203
Carlo Scarpa
Rare eight-armed chandelier, model no. 5334 A8
Estimate £10,000 - 15,000
Sold for £56,250
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204
Fulvio Bianconi
Rare vase, model no. 4426
Estimate £15,000 - 20,000 ♠
Sold for £25,000
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205
Carlo Mollino
Pair of chairs, designed for the conference room, Lattes Publishing House, Turin
Estimate £160,000 - 220,000
Sold for £239,000
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206
This lot is no longer available.
207
Jean Royère
Important 'Trèfle' sideboard
Estimate £70,000 - 90,000
Sold for £149,000
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208
Kaare Klint
Three-seater box-shaped sofa, model no. 4118
Estimate £35,000 - 50,000
Sold for £43,750
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209
Jørgen Berg
Rare cabinet-on-stand, model no. 24190
Estimate £40,000 - 60,000
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210
Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Rare and important ceiling light, model no. 3543NR
Estimate £120,000 - 150,000
Sold for £137,000
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211
Jean-Michel Frank
'Colonne' table lamp
Estimate £30,000 - 40,000
Sold for £43,750
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212
Salvador Dalí for Jean-Michel Frank
'Dalí' floor lamp
Estimate £150,000 - 200,000
Sold for £143,000
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213
Alberto Giacometti
‘Tête de femme’ table lamp
Estimate £100,000 - 150,000 Ω
Sold for £437,000
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214
Paul Rodocanachi for Jean-Michel Frank
Set of four dining chairs
Estimate £20,000 - 30,000
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215
Alberto Giacometti
Unique and large conic chandelier with four small cones, from the Tériade apartment, Paris
Estimate £1,500,000 - 2,500,000 Ω
Sold for £2,045,000
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216
Josef Hoffmann
Tea service, model no. S se 8, comprising model nos. S 5369 - S se 8-1, S 5370 - S se 8-2, S 5371 - S se 8-3, S 5372 - S se 8-4, S 5373 - S se 8-5
Estimate £40,000 - 50,000
Sold for £90,000
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217
Young Sook Park
'Moon Jar', no. 16
Estimate £120,000 - 180,000 ‡
Sold for £137,000
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218
Armand-Albert Rateau
Unique and important dining table and set of ten chairs from the hôtel particulier Thalheimer, Paris
Estimate £1,000,000 - 1,500,000
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219
Ron Arad
'Little Heavy' chair
Estimate £25,000 - 35,000
Sold for £31,250
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220
Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret
Unique bookcase, designed for Henri Ingber
Estimate £120,000 - 180,000
Sold for £215,000
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221
Joris Laarman
Important 'Bridge' table
Estimate £200,000 - 300,000 Ω
Sold for £341,000
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222
Jean Prouvé
Rare chair, model no. 4
Estimate £20,000 - 30,000
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223
Jean Prouvé
'Flavigny' double bed, from the Air France Unité d’Habitation, Brazzaville
Estimate £38,000 - 42,000
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224
Jean Prouvé
Important 'Cité' armchair, from Jean Prouvé's private collection
Estimate £180,000 - 280,000
Sold for £317,000
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225
Jean Prouvé
'6 x 9' demountable house, together with 'Pyrobal' fireplace
Estimate £700,000 - 900,000
Sold for £665,000
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226
Jean Prouvé
Rare 'Visiteur' armchair, type FV. 12
Estimate £70,000 - 100,000
Sold for £203,000
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227
Gio Ponti
Unique executive desk, designed for the Dulciora offices, Milan
Estimate £35,000 - 45,000
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228
Gio Ponti
Unique swivel armchair, from the Dulciora offices, Milan
Estimate £10,000 - 15,000
Sold for £12,500
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229
Gio Ponti
Unique folding table, designed for the Dulciora offices, Milan
Estimate £30,000 - 40,000
Sold for £65,000
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230
Gio Ponti
Unique set of three chairs, designed for the Dulciora offices, Milan
Estimate £25,000 - 35,000
Sold for £31,250
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231
Gio Ponti
Unique 'Parete organizzata', designed for the Dulciora offices, Milan
Estimate £40,000 - 60,000
Sold for £47,500
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232
Gio Ponti
Set of twelve armchairs, from the Dulciora offices, Milan
Estimate £25,000 - 35,000
Sold for £28,750
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233
Gino Sarfatti
Rare large chandelier, model no. 2109/27, executed for a private commission, France
Estimate £50,000 - 70,000
Sold for £106,250
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234
Gio Ponti
Rare coffee table
Estimate £35,000 - 45,000
Sold for £68,750
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235
Jean Royère
Rare illuminated desk
Estimate £60,000 - 80,000
Sold for £75,000
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236
Giacomo Balla
Unique vanity
Estimate £30,000 - 40,000
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237
Studio B.B.P.R.
Unique sofa, designed for the Belsana offices, Milan
Estimate £30,000 - 50,000
Sold for £31,250
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238
Pierre Jeanneret
Set of six 'Showroom' armchairs, model no. PJ-SI-49-A, possibly designed for the Tagore Theater, Chandigarh
Estimate £50,000 - 70,000
Sold for £50,000
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239
Flemming Lassen
'Third' armchair
Estimate £30,000 - 50,000
Sold for £65,000
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240
Marc Newson
Prototype 'Micarta' desk
Estimate £80,000 - 120,000
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Modern Masters

London Auction 26 April 2017

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Provenance

Literature

Catalogue Essay

Artist Biography

Gio Ponti

227

Gio Ponti

Unique executive desk, designed for the Dulciora offices, Milan

Modern Masters

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