FINELY INLAID MULTI-PURPOSE DESK,
Rococo, Neuwied ca. 1765/68. Workshop Abraham and David Roentgen.
Maple, tulipwood, mahogany, and in part tinted and engraved fruitwoods, opulently and finely inlaid as rocailles, pomegranates, flowers, birds and insects. Hinged top, curved with gilt sabots (incomplete) and horn castors. The legs, originally screwed-on. Two extendable metal supports on the back, as supports for the top, one side of the top lined with green embossed leather (later). The top opens up to display a chest of drawers in mahogany, with 4 compartments with 3 small drawers on each side, over a broad drawer (original iron springs with wood cover for locking, replaced). Top with hinged book support, flanked by 2 compartments under a slatted closure. Gilt, pierced bronze mounts, designed as scrolled leaves. 1 key.
82 x 41(open 87) x 75(98) cm.

Restored, some losses and cracks in the veneer. Minor restorations to the veneer.

Provenance:
- Koller Auctions, 20 September 2000. Lot No. 1674.
- Swiss private collection.

With expert opinion by Dr. C. Cornet, Munich 2020.

This very finely crafted multi-purpose desk combines several typical features of the work of the Neuwied Manufactory of Abraham and David Roentgen. Technically sophisticated multi-purpose furniture was a speciality of the Roentgen workshop, as was the excellent quality of the workmanship. The table also captivates with its fine marquetry "en mosaique", a speciality of the Roentgen Manufactory, which developed it to absolute mastery from 1760 onwards. A multi-purpose desk auctioned at Sotheby's in December 1991 features the almost identical marquetry as the desk on offer.

Comparative literature:
D. Fabian, Abraham und David Roentgen - Leben und Werk, Bad Neustadt/Saale 1996. No. 23b, p. 32 with a comparable top.