attributed to DAVID HACKER (1748-1801) c. 1797/98, mahogany veneered hardwood and softwood frame on conical square-cut legs, 1 drawer with compartments and blind-like covers, rear attachment in rectangular architectural design, central corpus with fluted lesenes and balustrade - the latter with turned vase motifs and bronze flame finials, laterally sliding roller shutter, the central corpus flanked by 1-drawer finials with stepped decoration on either side, c. 114 (incl. vases) x 100 x 71 cm, sheet brass mounts and strips, some cracking to the top, signs of age and use. (DOC)

Provenance:
German, then Austrian Family Ownership since 1920.
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Cf Lit.:
Andreas Büttner, Ursula Weber-Woelk, DAVID ROENTGEN, Möbelkunst und Marketing im 18. Jh., pp. 174 + 175, Verlag Schnell & Steiner GmbH, Regensburg 2009.
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The present piece of furniture is strikingly reminiscent of masterpieces by D. Roentgen (1743-1807). This is not surprising, since both its conception and external realisation can be traced back to Roentgen. However, a few of its features are atypical of Roentgen and can be attributed to his student D. Hacker instead.  D. Hacker was apprenticed to Roentgen and appeared on his list of journeymen in 1779. While working in Roentgen's workshop in Neuwied, Hacker was involved in the manufacturing and preparation of furniture for the Court of the Russian Czar in St. Petersburg. He also accompanied their elaborate transports, the first of which took place in 1783. After several attempts, Roentgen recommended Hacker to the Prussian court in 1791, and the latter received the title of “Royal Court Carpenter” in the same year. The political, social and economic upheavals in Prussia led to a more frugal state budget by the time of King Frederick William II’s death in 1797. This significantly reduced expenditure on royal buildings and housing. The aim of Hacker's appointment was to achieve a similar quality as before with Roentgen's furniture, but at a significantly lower price. The external appearance was to remain the same, the budgetary expenditure be significantly reduced. Until 1793, Hacker was busy with his first commissions for the furniture on the ground floor of the Marble Palace in Potsdam. There is evidence of a delivery of several pieces of furniture for Schloss Charlottenburg in 1797 - these include a desk for Frederick William II’s bedroom in the Winter Chambers of Schloss Charlottenburg, where it was until 1920, and where it returned in 1998 after extensive restoration. .
There is hardly any external difference between the aforementioned writing desk and our present piece, bar the middle attachment (cube), which is slightly lower. In general, the use of bronze mounts was dispensed with, giving the desk a simpler and less pretentious look. Whilst the vases at Schloss Charlottenburg are executed in fire-gilt bronze, they are made of carved and turned wood in this piece. Especially impressive is the roller shutter used in the attachment, which is repeated with matching design in the frieze drawer. .
This piece of writing furniture captivates its viewers through its consistent material design in balanced proportions.