Secretary

The Netherlands, c. 1780-1795, plaques: Wedgwood, c. 1780-1790, oak, veneered with sycamore and satinwood, biscuit stoneware

Many desks of this type, veneered with light-coloured woods, were made in the Netherlands. This example is unusual for its large plaquettes of jasperware, a fine-grained pottery that imitates carved stone. The plaquettes came from the factory of Josiah Wedgwood in England. Wedgwood stoneware was very popular in the Netherlands. Perhaps this secretary served as a showpiece for Wedgwood’s agent in Amsterdam.

  • Artwork typecase furniture, secretary
  • Object numberBK-1970-28
  • Dimensionswidth 83.5 cm x depth 39.0 cm, height 150.5 cm x width 90.5 cm x depth 41.5 cm
  • Physical characteristicseikenhout, belijmd met esdoorn- en satijnhout, biscuit aardewerk