Mechanical casket

Heinrich Gambs

Not on view

The design of this rectangular casket, with its double stepped base, appears to belong to the Art Deco period rather than to the time of Napoleon. The beautiful burr maple–veneered exterior encloses various mechanical devices, buttons, and springs to open or release hidden compartments and give access to secret drawers. Heinrich Gambs served as a journeyman in the workshop of David Roentgen with whom he collaborated and traveled to Russia in 1790. Gambs opened a furniture workshop in Saint Petersburg, where he made mechanical pieces that resembled the work of his well-known teacher, attracting among his select clientele the future empress Maria Feodorovna.

Mechanical casket, Heinrich Gambs (Durlach–Baden 1765–1831 Saint Petersburg), Burr-maple, ebony and ebonized fruitwood, mahogany, birch, gold-colored silk and green baize, Russian, St. Petersburg

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Mechanical casket, Heinrich Gambs (Durlach–Baden 1765–1831 Saint Petersburg), Burr-maple, ebony and ebonized fruitwood, mahogany, birch, gold-colored silk and green baize, Russian, St. Petersburg
Mechanical casket, Heinrich Gambs (Durlach–Baden 1765–1831 Saint Petersburg), Burr-maple, ebony and ebonized fruitwood, mahogany, birch, gold-colored silk and green baize, Russian, St. Petersburg
Mechanical casket, Heinrich Gambs (Durlach–Baden 1765–1831 Saint Petersburg), Burr-maple, ebony and ebonized fruitwood, mahogany, birch, gold-colored silk and green baize, Russian, St. Petersburg
Mechanical casket, Heinrich Gambs (Durlach–Baden 1765–1831 Saint Petersburg), Burr-maple, ebony and ebonized fruitwood, mahogany, birch, gold-colored silk and green baize, Russian, St. Petersburg
Mechanical casket, Heinrich Gambs (Durlach–Baden 1765–1831 Saint Petersburg), Burr-maple, ebony and ebonized fruitwood, mahogany, birch, gold-colored silk and green baize, Russian, St. Petersburg
Mechanical casket, Heinrich Gambs (Durlach–Baden 1765–1831 Saint Petersburg), Burr-maple, ebony and ebonized fruitwood, mahogany, birch, gold-colored silk and green baize, Russian, St. Petersburg

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.