Unlocking an 18th-century French mechanical table
About this video
This video shows a mechanical table by Jean-François Oeben made for an affluent lady in 18th-century France. With the turn of a key, hidden mechanisms open it into a desk with a fragrant juniper drawer for letters, lidded compartments, a silk writing surface that becomes a bookrest, and an always-accessible side drawer. Its marquetry once had brilliant colors and was designed to camouflage compartments, protecting the owner's privacy.
You'll be able to
- explain how the table's design protected its owner's privacy.
- describe at least three features that show how the table was used.
- use an object's design as evidence about how people lived.
Key words
- marquetry
- Decoration made by fitting pieces of different woods together like a picture.
- veneer
- A thin sheet of wood glued over a surface.
- correspondence
- Letters written to and from other people.
- affluent
- Wealthy; having plenty of money.
Transcript
Voiceover: In 18th century France, an affluent lady might spend hours at a fashionable table, engaged in leisure or work. When Jean-François Oeben designed this table, he kept the owner's privacy in mind. He devised hidden mechanisms to open it into a desk with the turn of a key.
(table banging open) (table closing) (key turning) (drawer opening) After years, the colors of the marquetry surface have altered, but their original appearance was quite brilliant. Patterns of wood veneer camouflaged compartments. (drawer opening and closing) The design of this table offers clues about how it was once used.
(drawer sliding open) Letters could be safeguarded in a fragrant, juniper wood drawer. (drawer sliding closed) Supplies could be stored in lidded inner compartments. The owner could draft correspondence on a silk covered surface. The writing service could be transformed into a bookrest.
Whether the desk was open or closed, items were accessible from a side drawer. (key jiggling) (drawer opening) (drawer closing) (table closing) The table was designed to be portable and could be moved aside, until ready for use again.
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