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Title
- Biedermeier Secretaire
Collection
Production
- design: Vinzenz Hefele (1840)
- execution: Vinzenz Hefele (1840), Vienna, 1840
Period | Style | School
Material | Technique
-
Nussbaumholz,
-
auf Weich- und Hartholz furniert; Im Inneren Marketerie,
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Spiegelglas,
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Metall
Measurements
- height: 157 cm
- width: 110 cm
- depth: 67 cm
Inventory number
- SOB 116-1
Acquisition
- assumption , 1956
Department
- Furniture and Woodwork Collection
Associated Objects
- photograph, Fotografie eines Schreibsekretärs von Vinzenz Hefele 1839-1840
- photograph, Fotografie eines Schreibsekretärs von Vinzenz Hefele 1839-1840
- photograph, Fotografie eines Schreibsekretärs von Vinzenz Hefele 1839-1840
- photograph, Fotografie eines Schreibsekretärs von Vinzenz Hefele 1839-1840
- working drawing, Grundriss des Schreibsekretärs mit Teil der Mechanik
- working drawing, Querschnitt der linken Seite des Schreibsekretärs
- working drawing, Detailpläne zur Mechanik im Auf- und Grundriss des Schreibsekretärs
- working drawing, Querschnitt der rechten Seite des Schreibsekretärs mit Details der Flaschenzug Mechanik
Inscriptions
- signature: Vincenc Hefele28. Dez 1840
Description
-
With this extraordinarily laborintensive secretaire, the carpenter Vinzenz Hefele produced a masterpiece in Vienna in 1840, with which he could demonstrate his craftsmanship: This piece of furniture contains a total of 105 drawers, the majority of which are hidden deep within the piece and are difficult to access. In a retrospective detailed description that also included plans, Hefele explained the complicated arrangement of the drawers and the elaborate operation of piece to instruct subsequent owners how to “undertake any repairs to the cabinet, which may be needed”—but above all so that they could adequately operate the secretaire and “be able to show it to others.” Consequently, the actual purpose of the cabinet lies not in storing objects, but in demonstrating its various functions as well as secret drawers and compartments.
Hefele boasted that his masterpiece won the approval not only of the committee of the Viennese carpenters’ guild but also of the general public at numerous demonstrations. However, in his instructions he advised great discretion:
“Experimenting with the drawers requires great practice: as the device is intended to achieve the best possible illusion, when handling the drawers it must be ensured that the onlooker is prevented from finding even the slightest clue. It is essential that no one stand behind the demonstrator; above all, the latter should hold the empty drawer turned to himself upon removal until the cover flap is replaced, as the second floor would otherwise be visible.”
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secretary, Biedermeier Secretaire, Vinzenz Hefele(1840), MAK Inv.nr. SOB 116-1
Last update
- 17.04.2025
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