Adjustable reading and writing table (pupitre à crémaillère, servant de table)
The tulipwood-veneered reading-and-writing lectern of this accommodating piece of furniture can be tilted forward and backward by pressing a button in the brass housing of the lectern, the sleeve of which fits over the top of the notched steel rod. A brass ratchet mounted to the underside of the tray engages the notches of the rod and allows the height of the lectern to be adjused for use from either a seated or standing position. With the lectern fully extended, the piece becomes quite top-heavy, and the spreading, double-pronged feet of its beautifully ornamented tripod base are intended to prevent it from tipping.
Several variants of this stand exist; the closest of these belonged in the eighteenth century to a noted collector of decorative arts of his time, Louis-Marie-Augustin, duc d'Aumont (1709–1782). At the sale of his effects in 1782, a stand was catalogued under lot number 367. The description of the lot, beginning with the words "Un Pupître à cremaillere, servant de table...," has enabled the duke's stand, which is very similar to the Museum's newly acquired example, to be identified in a French private collection.
Though without a signature, this piece has been attributed to the ébéniste Martin Carlin, who was permitted to sign workshop products only after his election as master cabinetmaker in 1766. The distribution of gilt-bronze ornament over the base is reminiscent of the dispositions of mounts that appear on later tripod stands, signed by him, in the Louis XVI style. Carlin may have produced the Museum's reading stand in the early 1760s while working under the influence of his brilliantly inventive brother-in-law, Jean-François Oeben, a practicing cabinetmaker from 1754 until his death in 1763.
Several variants of this stand exist; the closest of these belonged in the eighteenth century to a noted collector of decorative arts of his time, Louis-Marie-Augustin, duc d'Aumont (1709–1782). At the sale of his effects in 1782, a stand was catalogued under lot number 367. The description of the lot, beginning with the words "Un Pupître à cremaillere, servant de table...," has enabled the duke's stand, which is very similar to the Museum's newly acquired example, to be identified in a French private collection.
Though without a signature, this piece has been attributed to the ébéniste Martin Carlin, who was permitted to sign workshop products only after his election as master cabinetmaker in 1766. The distribution of gilt-bronze ornament over the base is reminiscent of the dispositions of mounts that appear on later tripod stands, signed by him, in the Louis XVI style. Carlin may have produced the Museum's reading stand in the early 1760s while working under the influence of his brilliantly inventive brother-in-law, Jean-François Oeben, a practicing cabinetmaker from 1754 until his death in 1763.
Artwork Details
- Title: Adjustable reading and writing table (pupitre à crémaillère, servant de table)
- Maker: Attributed to Martin Carlin (French, near Freiburg im Breisgau ca. 1730–1785 Paris)
- Date: ca. 1760–65
- Culture: French
- Medium: Tulipwood; gilt bronze, brass, steel
- Dimensions: H. 57 x W. 21 x D. 16 in. (144.8 x 53.3 x 40.6 cm); H. of tray: 27-3/8 (69.5); Lectern: H. 16 x W. 21-1/8 x D. 3-1/2 in. (40.6 x 53.7 x 8.9 cm)
- Classification: Woodwork-Furniture
- Credit Line: Purchase, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, by exchange, 1983
- Object Number: 1983.433
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Martin Carlin
ca. 1785
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1775
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1775–80
Martin Carlin
ca. 1785
Martin Carlin
ca. 1785
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.