Secretaire
ca. 1860-1876 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This secretaire is closely modelled on furniture made by the Parisian cabinet-maker Adam Weisweiler in the 1780s. Weisweiler used a variety of interlaced, pierced shapes for the low stretchers of many of the stands of his pieces, and also figures or turned columns in gilt bronze on the front corners.
The back and underside of this piece, however, carry the stamp of the cabinet-maker Jean Piret, who is recorded working in Paris from 1865 to 1876. By that date, the furniture of the 1780s was highly popular with collectors, and Weisweiler's work was particularly esteemed. The workmanship of this piece is good enough to suggest that it might have been made as a fake, but it is unlikely that a faker would have put his name to a piece. The most likely explanation is that the secretaire was made as a high-quality reproduction.
The back and underside of this piece, however, carry the stamp of the cabinet-maker Jean Piret, who is recorded working in Paris from 1865 to 1876. By that date, the furniture of the 1780s was highly popular with collectors, and Weisweiler's work was particularly esteemed. The workmanship of this piece is good enough to suggest that it might have been made as a fake, but it is unlikely that a faker would have put his name to a piece. The most likely explanation is that the secretaire was made as a high-quality reproduction.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 9 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Thuya wood with gilt bronze mounts and marble top, the interior lined with satinwood |
| Brief description | Drop-front secretaire on open stand, veneered in thuya wood and mounted with gilt bronze |
| Physical description | Drop-front secretaire on open stand, veneered in thuya wood and mounted with gilt bronze,. Marble top. Interior lined with satinwood. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions |
|
| Gallery label | SECRETAIRE
1068-1882
'American and European Art and Design 1800-1900'
This secretaire, originally one of a pair, is a refined example of the revival of the Louis XVI style of the 1770s and 1780s. Piret, by whom it is stamped, traded independently from 1865 to 1876. John Jones, who bequeathed the cabinet to the Museum in 1882, probably acquired it as an original Louis XVI piece.
Lent from the Jones Bequest(1987-2006) |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by John Jones |
| Object history | In the collection of John Jones before 1882 |
| Production | Although made ca. 1860-70, the secretaire includes many design elements used by Weisweiler in the 1780s |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This secretaire is closely modelled on furniture made by the Parisian cabinet-maker Adam Weisweiler in the 1780s. Weisweiler used a variety of interlaced, pierced shapes for the low stretchers of many of the stands of his pieces, and also figures or turned columns in gilt bronze on the front corners. The back and underside of this piece, however, carry the stamp of the cabinet-maker Jean Piret, who is recorded working in Paris from 1865 to 1876. By that date, the furniture of the 1780s was highly popular with collectors, and Weisweiler's work was particularly esteemed. The workmanship of this piece is good enough to suggest that it might have been made as a fake, but it is unlikely that a faker would have put his name to a piece. The most likely explanation is that the secretaire was made as a high-quality reproduction. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1068:1, 2-1882 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | June 26, 2001 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
