An inlaid table by David Roentgen
Lemon wood veneer on oak, inlaid with boxwood, maple and exotic woods on softwood base, ormolu mountings. Curved, four-sided and slightly bombé-form table with a writing surface and side drawer that can be pulled out via ring-shaped handles. On four tapering removable supports of square section. The feet with bronze acanthus covers. Inlaid with vertical veneers and floral maquetry. The curved top with a central inlaid still life of roses over a rocaille bracket motif. Minor losses and loosened areas in the veneer, restored. H 76, W 66.5, D 41.5 cm.
Neuwied, David Roentgen, c. 1765 - 1768.
David Roentgen, who was born 11th August 1743 in Herrnhaag and died 12th February 1807 in Wiesbaden, was the most successful and innovative cabinetmaker of the late 18th century. The Roentgens were members of the Herrnhut Brethren, who provided a certain amount of financial security to the workshop's business ventures. This allowed Abraham and later his son David to act with more freedom than other craftsmen and they became one of the first workshops in Germany to produce independently of patronage from a princely court. They were also freed from the constraints of the guild system, and could thus employ specialised craftsmen for the various parts of the production process, which enabled them to build furniture to the highest possible standards.
This delicate piece had multiple functions, and could also be used as a desk. It would have been placed in an exposed position, allowing the precious marquetry decor to be viewed from all sides. The style allows us to date the piece to the latter half of the 1760s. The flower and rocaille motifs used in the marquetry of this period were free-standing, whereas in later works they were suspended as trophies from ribbons and rods.
Provenance
Paris art market.
Albrecht Neuhaus, Würzburg.
German private ownership.
Literature
Illus. in Fabian, Abraham und David Roentgen. Das noch aufgefundene Gesamtwerk ihrer Möbel- und Uhrenkunst in Verbindung mit der Uhrmacherfamilie Kinzing in Neuwied. Leben und Werk, Verzeichnis der Werke, Quellen, Bad Neustadt 1996, no.155.