A curved walnut and walnut veneer chest of drawers opening with two drawers without a crossbar. Ornamented with gilt bronze falls, sabots, fillets, key escutcheons, leafy clasps and stylised shells. Peach blossom marble top. 18th century, Swiss work by Mathäus Funk (1697-1783) Height 89 cm - Width: 106.5 cm - Depth: 62.5 cm (restorations; small missing pieces) Reference: A chest of drawers of the same type is illustrated in Hermann von Fischer, Fonck, Bern, 2001, p. 99, no. 160 H. Kreisel, Die kunst des Deutschen Möbels, Vol. II, München, 1968, plate 1133. Walter de Sager, The Funk Family, Craftsmen of Berne, pp. 257-262. Mathäus Funk (1697-1783) began his apprenticeship in Frankfurt before living in Paris for several years. He returned to Bern, where he was authorised to open his own workshop in 1724. His clients included the ducal court of Württemberg and leading Parisian families. Funk produced a wide variety of secretaries, desks, armchairs and clock cases, but he is best known for his commodes, which became the most important piece of furniture in their salons in the 18th century.