Mathäus Funk also spelled Matthäus Funk (German pronunciation: [mataːʊs funk]; 18 April 1697 - 24 September 1783) was a Swiss ebonist and cabinet maker who was primarily active in Bern, Switzerland. Many of his furniture pieces were featured in notable auctions like Lempertz or Sotheby's.[1][2]

Mathäus Funk
Funk portrayed by John Webber, c. 1770
Born
Mathäus Funk

(1697-04-18)18 April 1697
Murten, Old Swiss Confederacy
(now Switzerland)
Died24 September 1783(1783-09-24) (aged 86)
Occupation(s)Cabinet maker, ebonist
EraBaroque
Spouse
Maria Magdalena Wäber
(m. 1725)
Children1
RelativesJohn Webber (nephew-in-law)

Life

edit
 
Erlacherhof with furniture by M. Funk (Bern, Switzerland)

Funk was born 18 April 1697 in Murten, Old Swiss Confederacy, to German-born Johann Lorenz Funk, a postal carrier, and Anna Margarita Funk (née Sergant). He completed an apprenticeship as cabinet maker followed by journeyman years learning the ebonist trade.[3]

He took-up residency in Bern on 23 November 1724. Since 1725 he was married to Maria Magdalena Wäber, who hailed from an old, well-established Bernese family. They had one son, Daniel Funk, who became a watch maker. After the death his sister-in-law, Rosina Wäber, managed the household. Another brother of his wife, Abraham Wäber, emigrated to England. His nephew-in-law, John Webber, became the expedition painter of James Cook.[4][5][6]

References

edit
  1. ^ https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2008/important-french-continental-furniture-european-ceramics-clocks-l08310/lot.183.html
  2. ^ "Mathäus Funk - Sell & Buy Works, prices, biography". www.lempertz.com. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  3. ^ Funk, Mathäus (by Anne-Marie Dubler) https://hls-dhs-dss.ch/de/articles/046704/2005-07-26/
  4. ^ "Funk". Furthof Antikmöbel GmbH (in German). Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  5. ^ "Funk, Matthäus | SIK-ISEA Recherche". recherche.sik-isea.ch. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  6. ^ "KOMMODE : Louis XV, Bern, um 1750/60 (Mathäus Funk 1697-1783) (Dobiaschofsky Auktionen AG)". www.dobiaschofsky.com. Retrieved 2023-12-04.