Object
name: secretary
Title: Biedermeier Secretaire
Production:
design: Vinzenz Hefele (1840)
execution: Vinzenz Hefele (1840), Vienna, 1840
Period/Style/School: Biedermeier
Material / Technique: Nussbaumholz, auf Weich- und Hartholz furniert; Im Inneren Marketerie, Spiegelglas, Metall
Measurements:
height: 157 cm
width: 110 cm
depth: 67 cm
Inventory number: SOB 116-1
Acquisition: assumption (1956)
signature: : Vincenc Hefele 28. Dez 1840
Associated object:
photograph of the object: Fotografie eines Schreibsekretärs von Vinzenz Hefele 1839-1840 (KI 9813-1-1)
photograph of the object: Fotografie eines Schreibsekretärs von Vinzenz Hefele 1839-1840 (KI 9813-1-2)
photograph of the object: Fotografie eines Schreibsekretärs von Vinzenz Hefele 1839-1840 (KI 9813-1-3)
photograph of the object: Fotografie eines Schreibsekretärs von Vinzenz Hefele 1839-1840 (KI 9813-1-4)
design: Grundriss des Schreibsekretärs mit Teil der Mechanik (SOB 116-2-1)
design: Querschnitt der linken Seite des Schreibsekretärs (SOB 116-2-2)
design: Detailpläne zur Mechanik im Auf- und Grundriss des Schreibsekretärs (SOB 116-2-3)
design: Querschnitt der rechten Seite des Schreibsekretärs mit Details der Flaschenzug Mechanik (SOB 116-2-4)
design: Querschnitt der rechten Seite des Schreibsekretärs mit Details der Flaschenzug Mechanik (SOB 116-2-5)
design: Querschnitt des Einsatzes mit mechanischen Details (SOB 116-2-6)
design: Querschnitt durch die Ladenkonstruktion des Einsatzes (SOB 116-2-7)
design: Grundriss durch den Tabernakel (SOB 116-2-8)
design: Querschnitt durch den Tabernakel (linke Seite) (SOB 116-2-9)
design: Querschnitt durch den Tabernakel (rechte Seite) (SOB 116-2-10)
design: Untere Ansicht des Einsatz-Mittelbodens (SOB 116-2-11)
design: Ansicht der Klappe und Schuber (SOB 116-2-12)
design: (SOB 116-2-12-1)
design: Grundriss des Sekretärs mit den mechanischen Details am Boden des Sekretäts (SOB 116-2-13)
design: Ansicht des Kastens bei geöffneter Rückwand (SOB 116-2-14)
design: Ansicht des Kastens bei geöffneter Rückwand (SOB 116-2-14-1)
design: Werkkzeichnungen eines Sekretärs (SOB 116-2)
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.”
Department: Furniture and Woodwork Collection
Collection: furniture and woodwork collection
See more:
MAK YouTube: Meisterstück Hefele-Sekretär: Einblick in die Geheimfächer | Secret drawers of the Hefele Secretary
Title: Biedermeier Secretaire
Production:
design: Vinzenz Hefele (1840)
execution: Vinzenz Hefele (1840), Vienna, 1840
Period/Style/School: Biedermeier
Material / Technique: Nussbaumholz, auf Weich- und Hartholz furniert; Im Inneren Marketerie, Spiegelglas, Metall
Measurements:
height: 157 cm
width: 110 cm
depth: 67 cm
Inventory number: SOB 116-1
Acquisition: assumption (1956)
signature: : Vincenc Hefele 28. Dez 1840
Associated object:
photograph of the object: Fotografie eines Schreibsekretärs von Vinzenz Hefele 1839-1840 (KI 9813-1-1)
photograph of the object: Fotografie eines Schreibsekretärs von Vinzenz Hefele 1839-1840 (KI 9813-1-2)
photograph of the object: Fotografie eines Schreibsekretärs von Vinzenz Hefele 1839-1840 (KI 9813-1-3)
photograph of the object: Fotografie eines Schreibsekretärs von Vinzenz Hefele 1839-1840 (KI 9813-1-4)
design: Grundriss des Schreibsekretärs mit Teil der Mechanik (SOB 116-2-1)
design: Querschnitt der linken Seite des Schreibsekretärs (SOB 116-2-2)
design: Detailpläne zur Mechanik im Auf- und Grundriss des Schreibsekretärs (SOB 116-2-3)
design: Querschnitt der rechten Seite des Schreibsekretärs mit Details der Flaschenzug Mechanik (SOB 116-2-4)
design: Querschnitt der rechten Seite des Schreibsekretärs mit Details der Flaschenzug Mechanik (SOB 116-2-5)
design: Querschnitt des Einsatzes mit mechanischen Details (SOB 116-2-6)
design: Querschnitt durch die Ladenkonstruktion des Einsatzes (SOB 116-2-7)
design: Grundriss durch den Tabernakel (SOB 116-2-8)
design: Querschnitt durch den Tabernakel (linke Seite) (SOB 116-2-9)
design: Querschnitt durch den Tabernakel (rechte Seite) (SOB 116-2-10)
design: Untere Ansicht des Einsatz-Mittelbodens (SOB 116-2-11)
design: Ansicht der Klappe und Schuber (SOB 116-2-12)
design: (SOB 116-2-12-1)
design: Grundriss des Sekretärs mit den mechanischen Details am Boden des Sekretäts (SOB 116-2-13)
design: Ansicht des Kastens bei geöffneter Rückwand (SOB 116-2-14)
design: Ansicht des Kastens bei geöffneter Rückwand (SOB 116-2-14-1)
design: Werkkzeichnungen eines Sekretärs (SOB 116-2)
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.”
Department: Furniture and Woodwork Collection
Collection: furniture and woodwork collection
See more:
MAK YouTube: Meisterstück Hefele-Sekretär: Einblick in die Geheimfächer | Secret drawers of the Hefele Secretary
