Ladies Writing Desk
Unknown Artist
c. 1750–75
Medium
Oak with straw marquetry
Dimensions
{"overall":{"height":0.972,"width":0.762,"depth":0.445}}
Classification
Furniture and woodwork
Department
Decorative Art and Design
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Grace Rainey Rogers in memory of her father, William J. Rainey
Accession Number
1942.40
About this artwork
As early as the beginning of the 17th century, straw marquetry was being produced throughout Europe. Along with cabinetmakers and specialized artisans, creators of straw marquetry included home artisans, nuns, monks, and noble dilettantes. Thus the quality and design of objects using straw marquetry is quite diverse. While some pieces appear nearly naive, others are made very masterfully, such as with this ladies writing desk. Some of these objects were even presented in royal cabinets of wonder...