Bookcase

ca. 1785

Not on view

Carlin worked primarily for marchand-merciers, the decorator-dealers who guided Parisian fashion, and he knew well how to finesse elegance. Given the task of constructing a bookcase of sizable mass, he created an effect of airy lightness by the use of delicate marquetry, glittering gilt-bronze and, above all, skillful design.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Bookcase
Maker: Martin Carlin (French, near Freiburg im Breisgau ca. 1730–1785 Paris)
Date: ca. 1785
Culture: French, Paris
Medium: Tulipwood and satiné on oak; glass, and gilt-bronze mounts
Dimensions: Overall: 80 × 44 3/4 × 16 in. (203.2 × 113.7 × 40.6 cm)
Classification: Woodwork-Furniture
Credit Line: Bequest of Mary Hayward Weir, 1968
Object Number: 69.9.2
Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

By Martin Carlin

In the same medium

From the same time and place

Corner mount, Gilt bronze, French — Corner mount
French
18th century

Secretary, Martin Carlin and French, Oak veneered with tulipwood, amaranth, holly, ebonized holly, and other marquetry wood; brass; green-colored metal; gilt-bronze mounts; marble top. Soft paste porcelain plaques from the Sèvres Manufactory. — Secretary
Attributed to Martin Carlin
Sèvres Manufactory
various French
ca. 1781–85

Bassoon, Dominique Antony Porthaux French, Maple, brass, French — Bassoon
Dominique Antony Porthaux
1790–1800

Drop-front desk (secrétaire à abattant or secrétaire en cabinet), Martin Carlin French, Oak veneered with tulipwood, amaranth, holly, and sycamore; six Sèvres soft-paste porcelain plaques and two painted tin plaques; gilt-bronze mounts; marble shelves; moiré silk, French, Paris and Sèvres — Drop-front desk (secrétaire à abattant or secrétaire en cabinet)
Attributed to Martin Carlin
Manufactory Sèvres Manufactory
Decorator Central plaque decorated by Edme François Bouillat père
ca. 1776

Armor of Infante Luis, Prince of Asturias (1707–1724), Jean Drouart French, Steel, gold, brass, silk, cotton, metallic yarn, paper, French, Paris — Armor of Infante Luis, Prince of Asturias (1707–1724)
Armorer Signature probably refers to Jean Drouart
dated 1712

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