Children's desk and chair Zurla Italy, donated by the Pope for the flood disaster, Holland February 1954

Description

Unique children's desk/writing table with matching chair.

These Italian kindergarten furniture pieces were donated by the Pontifical Aid Works in Italy and transported to the Netherlands for the benefit of children in the flood-stricken area. 

Iron plates are attached to the furniture stating: "The Pontifical Aid Works in Italy to the Dutch children."

There are also plates from the Italian factory stating: "L. Zurla & figli, Bologna, Italy." This was a historic Bolognese family business that primarily produced metal and tubular furniture.

The last photo is from a postcard of the Sisters' School at Lepelstraat in Etten, Zeeland, dated February 15, 1954. Here, the desks and chairs can be seen standing on the right.

The furniture pieces have a metal tubular frame; the chair has a wooden seat and backrest that were once painted green. The desk has a Formica top set in a metal frame. 

In good condition despite its age. Some signs of wear on the metal, see photos

Small desk: 60 x 40 x 59 cm H (tapering to 55 cm towards the front) 

Stool: Seat height 31.5 cm, total H 58 cm, 30.2 cm wide and 40 cm deep

Weight of desk and chair together 8.3 kilos

- The text "The Papal Works of Assistance in Italy to the Dutch children" refers to a post-war aid program by the Vatican, in which school furniture was donated to Dutch children in the disaster area of ​​the 1953 North Sea flood

 - Papal support: Pope Pius XII activated international Catholic aid organizations, including the Italian branch of the Papal Relief Works, through the Papal Nuncio in The Hague (Monsignor Giobbe). - Furniture from Bologna: The Italian furniture manufacturer L. Zurla & Figli from Bologna was commissioned to produce wooden school sets (desks with matching chairs). - Distribution: Around February 1954, this furniture was officially handed over to several Dutch schools in the disaster area to quickly restart education for the affected "Dutch children."