Maurice Calka

for Leleu-Deshays LDD, fibreglass, with integral adjustable upholstered swivel chair

Purchased by the current vendor from the descendants of the original owner, who bought the piece in 1971 directly from Leleu-Deshays

Andrea Dinoto, Art Plastique: Design for Living, Paris, 1987, pp. 166-167, 203
Decelle, Hennebert, Loze, L'utopie tout Plastique 1960-1973, Brussels, 1994, p. 79
Pierre Kjellberg, Le Mobilier du XXe Siècle, Dictionnaire des Créateurs, Paris, 1994, p. 110
Viviane Jutheau, Jules et André Leleu, Neuchâtel, 1996, p. 165
Leleu, 50 ans de mobilier et de décoration 1920-1970, exhibition catalogue, Paris, 2007, p.18
 

A striking and important desk. Piece is slightly more cream in tone than the illustration suggests. Colour of fibreglass has discoloured slightly through age with variations in tone. Old marks, scratches and blemishes overall, consistent with age and use, as can partially be seen in the catalogue illustration. When viewing the piece white lines are visible at most of the edges. It is possible that these correlate with where the different moulded sections were joined together after construction. The seams would have been painted to match the body and these joins have discoloured at a slightly different rate over time to the main body. Joins also with some retouching in white and subsequent crazing, such as the the left and right of the open shelf above the drawers. Three minor areas of loss (c.1cm wide) to this area, which can be just made out in the illustration. The base of the open shelf above the two drawers is a slide. Reverse with one long open shelf (visible in illustration ) and two smaller open shelves (not visible). Some crazing and minor loss to a small area of the latter. Seat is later upholstered in beige fabric, to match that in lot 69. Seat is height and position adjustable (latter apparently not working). Twelve screws missing to the internal footwell panel (remaining five present). Two areas of retouching to footwell have discoloured to a darker brown than elsewhere (larger c7cm by 2cm). Further images of the piece are available upon request. A iconic and rare piece in honest condition which is ready for display.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

It is thought that only four or five P.-D.G. desks were ever made. The current lot is a previously unknown example.

The decorator Pierre Deshays joined Jean Leleu in 1967 and two years later they presented Calka's desk P.-D.G. at  the Salon International de l'Équipement de Bureau et de l'Informatique. Named and targeted for senior management (hence the abbreviation for Président Directeur Générale) the desk was also available with optional integral circuitry for telephone, intercom and television monitor.

The following year a smaller variant of the P.-D.G. desk, the Boomerang, was introduced. This was produced in larger numbers (thought to be around 35) and varying colours and did not feature the integral chair of the rarer early model.

The P.-D.G. was an icon, indeed President Pompidou owned one and placed it in the Elysée Palace. Today it is celebrated as a seminal piece of post war design, combining a pioneering use of materials with the Pop Art sensibilities of the day.