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 in to 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 of 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 finish with cast bronze/gold plate ormolu mounts. Five and a half months in the making. I have only made one, and it will not be repeated.

 Height   60 mm    width    70 mm   depth   44 mm                                £  4,800.00   sold

The original is in the Metropolitan Museum of art in New York click here to see it

click on each image for the full size picture