Desk ‘Cube’ by Dupré-Lafon for Hermès, 1940

A rare and stylish leather and silver-plated desk compendium, or ‘Weather station’ by Paul Dupré-Lafon (1900 – 1971) for Hermès, the stepped base section covered in handstitched leather, the compendium fitted with clock, compass, barometer and calendar. Marked HERMES PARIS, French, circa 1940s.

Height: 5½ inches (14 cms) & base 6 inches (15 cms) square.

Additional Notes: Paul Dupré-Lafon (1900 – 1971): Interior architect and furniture designer who from 1929 through the end of the 1950’s collaborated with the leather good purveyor Hermès to produce a wide range of items for the office and home, all embellished with leather supplied by Hermès. Born to a family of successful merchants in Marseille, he moved to Paris in 1923 and soon established himself as a furniture designer. In 1929 he received his first major commission to create the interior scheme for a townhouse on the rue Rembrandt. This achievement brought him many subsequent commissions for domestic interiors, offices and stores. Dupré-Lafon had a keen affinity for both practicality and luxury – his furniture is modern and functional yet at the same time sleek an luxurious, it is crafted from the finest materials and woods in lieu of extraneous ornamentation, and it is often grand in scale and geometric in form. Each piece from his limited repertoire was uniquely created for special orders. He worked independently for a small group of patrons and rarely participated in the salons or exhibitions.

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