Rare Mid-Century Director’s Desk by Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Werndl, Germany C.1970

ABOUT

A rare Director’s Desk by Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Wendl, Germany. The design truly resembles the ethos of the seventies, a bright and bold era. The writing desk feels retro, without clashing with contemporary interiors. Ernest Igl focused on functionality combined with an aesthetically pleasing design for daily use, seen in the playful composition of curved lines and round shapes.

The body of the desk is entirely made of molded fiberglass and lacquered in white. The push up writing surface reveals a large storage compartment. A switch inside can lock and unlock the drawers. The top aluminum panel has a clock, large ceramic inset tray, two round ceramic dishes and five ceramic pen holders. The desk features six drawers with ample space and a large aluminum foot pad.

CREATOR Designed by by Ernest Igl. Manufactured by Wilhelm Werndl, Germany.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1970.
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Fiberglass, Aluminum, Ceramic.
CONDITION Good. Wear consistent with age and use. Two minor scratches in front center, one minor scratch back side center, small round chip base in the back. Minor scuff. Storage compartment lid key hole missing. Right side storage compartment lid touched up on the inside. Inside locking mechanism locks two drawers on the right and one on the left only.
DIMENSIONS H 33 in. (back) (30 in. front) W 71 in. D 32 in., Knee Height: 27.25 in., Drawers: H 3 in. W 13 in. D 27 in.

HISTORY

Ernest Hofmann (1920-2001)

Hofmann, born in Prague in 1920, studied graphic arts in his hometown. Hofmann firstly worked as an illustrator, graphic artist, and cartoonist for well-known schoolbook publishers. In 1962, they moved to Rosenheim, which marked the beginning of Hofmann’s more design orientated career.

In 1954, Hofmann changed his last name “Igl”. He was a designer, sculptor, illustrator, and inventor and designed everything from a harvester machine to office appliances, a microscope, and rubber boots. His carreer includes an impressive number of product.