OPEN TODAY: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.

Tickets

Decorative arts

Fall-front secretary

Image not available

Type
Decorative arts(Opens in new tab)
Date
ca. 1775
Accession number
11.32
Maker
Martin Carlin(Opens in new tab) (French, 1734–1785)
Dimensions
52 3/8 x 58 5/8 x 26 in. (133 x 148.9 x 66 cm.)
Medium
oak carcase veneered with marquetry of tulipwood, sycamore, purplewood edge banding, and ebony and holly stringing; gilt bronze mounts; white Carrara marble tops
Credit
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
Department
European Art
Find out more
View in the Art Museum catalog(Opens in new tab)
Cabinet-maker Carlin was known for sophisticated pieces of furniture mounted with porcelain plaques or lacquer panels, or, as here, decorated with marquetry of exotic woods. This secrétaire is in the neoclassical style, which looked to the art of ancient Rome for inspiration. The foliate swags and trellises of the marquetry are based on published drawings of some of the material then recently excavated from the archeological sites of Herculaneum and Pompeii.

You might also be interested in