Mid-Century Modern LC-TAT-07-A Ministry Desk by Le Corbusier, 1956

This is one of the rare Ministers’ desks, one of the few pieces Le Corbusier personally designed for the Chandigarh project. The object exudes an aura. It’s not about the shape or about the material; its auratic quality comes out of its depth, giving a strong presence with an almost ritualist intensity. Not many design pieces offer that unusual quality. It is a one-of-a-kind piece – unique and outstanding. Historically important, it is not just a collector’s piece; it holds a museum exhibit quality. An artefact for collectors and connoisseurs. A piece without any compromises. Highly valuable, rarely even offered by auction houses. However, it comes with a price. All massive parts are authentic. They are done in Indian teak. Rich in texture, the wood is vivid and comes in chocolate colour. The surface is treated with shellac and there are several layers of original shellac. It provides smooth irregular gloss different from that of the sterile lacquerware nowadays. Charming irregularities show that each piece is unique. The tabletop is carried on three legs with V-shaped legs bases. The middle one also has two open sculptural elements. It is in an angled shape, following the positions of its bases. This desk has an original veneer on the top, which is very rare. The surface has been treated with shellac. The piece is dismantlable. I think the piece blends well with many interior styles. It can support pure, modern aesthetics by giving them a warmer character with its natural materials and warm colours. By itself, this masterpiece is an eye-catcher, enriching each interior. P! Galerie’s selection is mainly focused on rare French mid-century modern design artefacts by Pierre Jeanneret, Jean Prouvé, Le Corbusier, and Charlotte Perriand. Artefacts from our carefully curated collection are handpicked, and all traces and important indicators of authenticity are evaluated professionally. We try to preserve as much of patina as possible during the process of restoration, as it defines these historic pieces. Each object comes with a certificate of authenticity, offering you the opportunity to own a valuable artefact originating from a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. Not only do we cooperate with museums and offer auction houses our services and expert opinion, we also look forward to welcoming you as a private collector and connoisseur. Literature: Eric Touchaleaume and Gerald Moreau, ‘Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret: The Indian Adventure, Design-Art-Architecture’ (Paris: Gourcuff Gradenigo, 2011), 579-580. Provenance: This specific object has been exhibited as a provenance in CH-DSGN, 2023, The National Museum of the Sultanate of Oman, Muscat. The photo from the exhibiton from left to right shows: His Highness, the son of the Sultan, Bilarab bin Haitham Al-Said who was opening the exhibition; Her Highness, Dr. Mona Fahad Mahmoud Al Said; His Excellency, the Secretary-General of the National Museum Jamal al-Moosawi; His Excellency, Dr. Thomas Oertle, The Swiss Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman.