Minimalist vintage desk by Franco Albini for Knoll International, Belgium 1949

Rare original edition desk designed by Franco Albini and manufactured under license by Knoll International in Belgium in 1949. The design of this "Albini desk" dates back to 1928. Knoll introduced this desk in 1949. This desk with its simple, clean lines is a representative example of Albini's transparency aesthetic and is still produced by Knoll today. The cross-shaped beam, the larger rectangular shape of the legs, and the larger and differently designed "supports" of the glass top indicate that this desk is an early production or probably even a first edition of the desk. Its appearance is very different from the later more "streamlined" productions.The early models are hand painted with a white painted metal frame and black painted wooden drawer cabinet. The desk is in perfect original condition with traces of age and use. The glass top is original with minor wear. The original Knoll International label on the bottom of the drawers, shows that this desk was originally issued in black and white. Provenance: The previous and first owner of this desk worked in the furniture department of Bijenkorf Amsterdam, headed by architect and designer Benno Premsela. Contrary to the common conservative taste in the post-war period in the Netherlands, De Bijenkorf was already selling modernist design furniture in the 1940s. Among other pieces designed for Knoll International, this desk was part of the Bijenkorf collection at the time.Literature:Aloi, Roberto, (1947) L'Arredamento Moderno, terza serie, Milano, Editore U.Hoepli, picture 235.Sembach, Klaus-Júrgen (1982) Contemporary Furniture, An International Review of Modern Furniture, 1950 to Present, London, The Design Council, p. 200.