The beautiful clerk's desk, or pigeonhole desk, both names it has acquired over the years. In Jeanneret's original drawing, it is simply titled 'Office Table'. Whatever you choose to call it, this is a remarkable piece of design and one of our personal favourites by Pierre Jeanneret.

Viewed purely as an object of design, it is exceptionally interesting. All four sides are different, and from each of its four 45-degree angles the desk takes on a different character. It is impactful, architectural and possesses a certain magic. Many of Jeanneret's Chandigarh designs have a distinctly architectural quality, and this desk is a particularly fine example.

The two-sided open leg section beneath the desk is not simply a visual decision. It was designed to allow airflow in Chandigarh's hot climate. Jeanneret achieved this through a robust angled leg and angled support, a structural language used extensively by both Pierre Jeanneret and Le Corbusier within furniture and architectural design. These details may seem small, but it is precisely this combination of form, function, structure and design thinking that makes the piece so special.

Another often overlooked detail is the angled pen tray floating within the drawer. Its position and angle are beautifully considered: a small architectural gesture that is both practical and visually satisfying.

The pigeonholes were originally designed to accommodate files of foolscap paper. Today, the pigeonholes are equally useful for books, documents and objects. Filling the rear of the desk with your own collection gives the piece an especially personal quality and makes it as much a piece of furniture as a display in its own right.

For us, this desk ticks all the boxes. It is practical, exceptionally well balanced, beautifully made and highly collectible. There are many pieces of design that look wonderful but are not particularly practical, and others that are wonderfully functional but lack visual impact. This one manages to achieve both.

It is at its most striking when the pigeonhole section is on display, although we have also used these desks on projects with the rear positioned against a wall. Even in this orientation, the sculptural quality of the design remains evident, and the desk still feels complete.

As with all of our Jeanneret pieces, we specifically look for examples with a strong depth of original patina. This particular desk has exactly that. If you are looking for something without patina, this is probably not the piece for you. We clean our furniture carefully, but we do not remove the signs of decades of institutional use and character. The age, wear and patina are part of the history of the piece. All major components of the desk remain original.

The design was produced in both Burmese teak and Indian rosewood (sissoo). This example is in teak. We also have the same desk available in rosewood; please browse our collection to see the rosewood variant. We love both of the woods used. They both age and patinate differently. If you would like us to explain the differences do reach out.

The desk has been professionally restored in the UK and is presented in excellent vintage condition. As is common with these desks, the original plywood will suffer from delamination and loss of structural strength over time, the plywood elements (desktop and drawer lining) have been replaced during restoration. We generally finish the desk with a black leather writing surface, although this can be customised to a colour of your choice.

We have specialised in Pierre Jeanneret furniture for nearly nineteen years and have extensive experience in identifying, sourcing, restoring and selling his work. Given the number of later reproductions and incorrectly attributed pieces now on the market, we understand the importance of provenance, construction, materials and restoration when assessing Chandigarh furniture. We are always happy to discuss these aspects in detail and answer any questions regarding the authenticity, provenance or restoration of our Jeanneret pieces.

Viewing is welcomed at our West London showroom.

High-resolution photographs, detailed condition reports, and video inspections are available upon request. 

We offer local, national, and international shipping.

Please contact us for further information or to arrange a private viewing.