Gio Ponti walnut desk for BNL offices, Italy, 1950s

A walnut writing desk designed by Gio Ponti for Banca Nazionale del Lavoro (BNL), conceived originally for executive and institutional interiors. The model reflects Ponti’s continuous exploration of structural lightness and the reduction of visual mass. The worktop is supported by two open lateral frames with gently inward-leaning uprights and tapered legs. The open geometry releases the volume under the top and introduces an architectural rather than volumetric reading of the piece.

The top is finished in black linoleum, a material Ponti employed frequently in managerial environments from the 1940s onward. Its choice is both functional and perceptual: the matte surface resists glare, is comfortable to the touch, and provides a neutral, uniform field that emphasizes the precision of the wood perimeter. The slightly softened edge marks the junction between the linoleum surface and the walnut substrate without interruption.

The frontal band incorporates two drawers with their original internal guides. The recessed oval brass pulls and brass key escutcheons constitute controlled points of emphasis—technical elements drawn with ergonomic clarity rather than decorative intent. The legs terminate in brass shoes, a solution Ponti adopted to protect the wood and to provide a defined structural closure to the frame.

The desk has been professionally restored in our in-house workshop with a conservation-oriented approach. Interventions included cleaning and stabilizing the walnut surfaces, checking and tightening joints, and reviewing the hardware while retaining the original patina. The linoleum top has been preserved and returned to a uniform state of finish consistent with its intended appearance.

Dimensions
Height: 80 cm (31.5 in)
Width: 140 cm (55.1 in)
Depth: 70 cm (27.6 in)