A German green painted and parcel-gilt centre table, the design attributed to Schinkel Circa 1820

the rectangular top decorated with geometric motives within a moulded border carved with acanthus leaves, the end-supports in the form of a fluted column with a leaf carved capital and base, headed and resting on reeded volutes; redecorated, possibly originally with a structure underneath the feet

Count Hermann von Pückler, Munich

Sold in these Rooms as lot 89, 10th June 1998

Hedinger, Bärbel & Berger, Julia, Karl Friedrich Schinkel, Möbel und Interieur, Hamburg, 2002, pages 8 - 15.
L. Lohde, Schinkels Möbelentwürfe Berlin 1835-1837, 2nd edition, 1982, 3rd Edition 1861, plate VI,  XIII.

 

Gilding more golden and colour less orange overall. An unusual piece in overall very good restored condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Schinkel was the leading designer and architect to the Prussian court during the first half of the 19th century, with one of his first recorded commissions being a bed and toilet table designed in 1809 for Queen Louise for the Charlottenburg Palace, Berlin.  He was appointed Geheimer Oberbaurat  (Director of Works) in 1815 in the Prussian Office of Public Works, and thus began his career as an architect.  His influence greatly impacted on the industrial arts and crafts.  He was concerned with the revival of historic forms and techniques and as a connoisseur and collector, was at ease with both the Greek and Gothic style.  

Schinkel visited Paris, where he met Napoleon's celebrated architect's, Charles Percier and Pierre-François Fontaine, whose work Receuil de décorations interieurs' , published in 1801, was influential on furniture designs throughout Europe.  Although he often used tracery motifs, Schinkel's furniture is mainly characterised by a simplicity and solidity, and which demonstrates the broad stylistic range of his work, made not only in wood, but iron, tin, zinc, stucco and stone.  His designs for furniture were numerous and mainly intended for specific locations, those being either new, or rennovated royal residences.  From 1835 to 1837, Ludwig Lohde published Schinkel's Furniture Designs, Executed in the Last Ten Years in the Furnishing of the Princely Residences, which appeared in five parts with 16 plates in total. Through this publication Schinkel's styles gained popularity.  His furniture designs were primarily executed by the Court carpenter Johann Christian Sewening and his brother Wanschaff, as well as by the master-class of the Gewerbeinstituts in Berlin.