Gio Ponti wall-mounted chest of drawers for Hotel Royal of Naples, Italy, 1953
Wall-mounted chest of drawers designed by Gio Ponti for the guest rooms of the Hotel Royal in Naples, circa 1953, as part of his complete interior furnishing of the hotel. Manufactured by Dassi of Lissone in African mahogany and mahogany-veneered wood, in close collaboration with master cabinetmaker Giordano Chiesa.
Three drawers with sculpted pulls carved directly into the fronts, no applied hardware. Hand-cut dovetail joints fully exposed on the lateral sides, consistent with Dassi’s construction standards of the period. Brass hairpin leg with original oxidation throughout. The piece retains its original patina on both wood and metal.
The Hotel Royal still operates today on the Naples waterfront, now as the Royal Continental. During a recent restoration, all surviving original Ponti furnishings were consolidated onto one floor, a testament to the enduring integrity of the commission.
Height: 32.29 in (82 cm)
Width: 39.38 in (100 cm)
Depth: 18.71 in (47.5 cm)
1953
1950-1959
African Mahogany
Lonigo, IT
Our in-house atelier carefully restored the item, with meticulous attention to structural integrity, materials, and finish. The process was guided by deep respect for its authenticity, balancing technical intervention with historical sensitivity.