Gooch Furniture
Oeben mechanical writing table circa 1755-58
The original mechanical table was made for Madame de Pompadour in 1755-1758 by
jean-François Oeben. By turning the key on the right side the top moves back and the draw moves out
to reveal a writing desk, a catch under the draw releases the writing panel which pops up into a
reading slope. The whole piece is covered in marquetry, even the sides of the draw. I have made it in
all the original woods to show what it would have looked like when it was first made. The top is on a
heartwood ground (purple) with a blood wood border (red) , the border is intertwined with bunches of
grapes and leaves in ebony. The top was made to represent Madame de Pompadours interest which
The original mechanical table was made for Madame de Pompadour in 1755-1758 by
jean-François Oeben. By turning the key on the right side the top moves back and the draw moves out
to reveal a writing desk, a catch under the draw releases the writing panel which pops up into a
reading slope. The whole piece is covered in marquetry, even the sides of the draw. I have made it in
all the original woods to show what it would have looked like when it was first made. The top is on a
heartwood ground (purple) with a blood wood border (red) , the border is intertwined with bunches of
grapes and leaves in ebony. The top was made to represent Madame de Pompadours interest which
includes a vase set on a plinth, drafting tools, architectural plans, sheet music, artists pallet and
brushes on the left, and gardening on the right, watering can, and a garden rake.
The piece is French polished and finished with cast bronze/gold plate ormolu mounts. Five and a half
months in the making.
Height 60 mm width 70 mm depth 44 mm £ 4800. sold
brushes on the left, and gardening on the right, watering can, and a garden rake.
The piece is French polished and finished with cast bronze/gold plate ormolu mounts. Five and a half
months in the making.
Height 60 mm width 70 mm depth 44 mm £ 4800. sold