Sarah Bansemer interviews the curator of the Lightner Museum in St. Augustine, Florida about a magnificent desk with hundreds of drawers that was build for Louis Bonaparte.
I'm willing to bet that even 200 years ago, half those drawers were still just filled with old pens, empty ink bottles, twist ties, and bottle corks. LoL
Drawers were a lot more useful before the creation of computer memory. Imagine the amount of documents, and letters you would have to store as the head of state.
I dont mean to be offtopic but does someone know of a tool to log back into an Instagram account..? I somehow forgot the password. I would love any tips you can offer me
I would hazard a guess that some could have a very general idea. But I bet there is nothing like standing there in front of the piece and examining all the little details in joinery and workmanship. And just think. That was all done by hand without the help of power tools or even electric lights to see.
My uncle made a dinner table back in the day. He was a master. Apparently someone offered him 10,000 for it way back.. but it wasent for sale. And that was just a table without any drawers lol This thing would have costed way more then most peoples houses probably lol!
Chelsea Ray I bet they are very big pages! I’ve never seen such an exquisite, elaborate piece of furniture; I can’t begin to imagine what it would be worth.
I’m have family from St. Augustine going all the way back to when the Spanish first settled in St. Augustine. And I’ve been to almost every Museum in that Beautiful City, but this is one Museum I will be going to once this Pandemic is over.
I love this, all furniture nowadays are so flat, cheap and boxy. If only there still was as much passion and romance put into the making of furniture as it was back then. we need more beauty in life! o/
Wow, what a masterpiece of craftsmanship! I sincerely doubt that anybody today would have either the skills or the time and energy (not to mention the materials) to produce something like this. I'm in awe!
John Smith it’s always nice to spray others with anonymity and no proof whatsoever but I think you might be overstating the number of people capable of this type of craftsmanship as well as rudely understating the incredible quality of these tradesmen’s work and either offer proof of your statement or offer an apology to those concerned
And Ken, sorry, I forgot to mention one of my all time heroes, Craig Thibodeau. Bsotely ing work that is worth aching for here or googling his website. An amazing and generously kind gentleman, his book on veneering is well worth buying
That's literally amazing. When i read a old novel like Dostoyevski, there is a definition about the desks like this usually. Looks like the richs always got the taste.
I love all these 18th and 19th century over the top desks. One day this type of thing would be an ethusiasts cabinet maker's challenge. I would love to have the time, space and money to make something like this. Obviously skill level would not be on par.
CapApollo yes, there’s a few of him showing his work but not actually making any. Another magnificent craftsman still working is Craig Thibodeau. Truly astounding work and well worth a look as is his book on marquetry, a really great instructional read
and look at the amazing work of Craig Thibodeau at ruclips.net/channel/UCg0np2yxpd-NySev37_PimQ . An illusionist called Chris Ramsey also posted a vidéo about his work at ruclips.net/video/4Rw4NFlSLlM/видео.html
And to think that Sam Walton started Walmart with an old door on a couple of saw horses for a desk and a couple peach crates nailed to the wall for shelves .
Guy: Honey, where are my keys??? Honey: It's in the drawer..! Guy: Which drawer?? Honey: I dont recall the letter...The one on the left, bottom 3rd, middle row, where you press... Guy: Oh never mind, I'll walk...
It probably did take a long time but I doubt it was one person working on this. Sure, one person must have had the vision but a master carpenter would have had apprentices along with collaborators due to the diverse skills necessary to build this
Most Europeans 300 years ago were trying to find food. Because of the small group of people who could have this desk. Is it okay to say openly racist things about people if they are white?
A work of art, only exception is the lower case letters are in the upper cases. The meaning behind upper and lower case letters derives from news letter cases similar to this that stored upper case stamp in the...
It's 2021. The latest thing is a desk that " only" raises to standing height. Who am I kidding? I want one like that! WITH standing and tilt! Desk envy. Desk lust
it's pretty easy, they're just connected by pulleys, it's a pretty common mechanism on antique rolltops, gives you a little more usable space on the desk
What an great piece of artifact, it's a shame people nowadays don't really make such a complex and unique piece like this anymore, the technique, mechanic complexity(perhaps not so much now) and craftsman's carving... it's fading
Now with all the modern technology today, you would think we could make something as cool as this but also power operated. Well no, it’s about having a minimal setup with a metal monitor, metal keyboard, etc.
There are at least 127 drawers in the bottom section. I imagine theres a lot going on behind those mirrors too!
Since it was a kings desk. I would say IOU’s and leverage.
Stacks of gold and silver!
Absolutely exquisite piece of old craftsmanship 🤯 I want this in my living room 🤯💯
A desk for the obsessive-compulsive filer/hoarder! I want one!
I'm willing to bet that even 200 years ago, half those drawers were still just filled with old pens, empty ink bottles, twist ties, and bottle corks. LoL
Drawers were a lot more useful before the creation of computer memory.
Imagine the amount of documents, and letters you would have to store as the head of state.
@@caleb1031 probably a whole library full
This is where the Perloined Letter was stolen. 😁
it depends weather you kept a collection of different buttons for clothing or the like...
I dont mean to be offtopic but does someone know of a tool to log back into an Instagram account..?
I somehow forgot the password. I would love any tips you can offer me
Craftsmanship unbelievable I wonder how long they actually took him to make that desk and if he was the only one working on it magnificent
Awesome inlaid and color combinations of the various woods used ! Great design and use of space and storage ! Stunning piece
Incredible! Who wouldn't love to own such a wonderful piece?!
I dont think people understand the severe mastery you have to have to finesse such a thing. . .
@Ronnie Civella - His comment was perfectly civil. Where did you learn how to read, prison?
Nobody can make furniture like in America. Only the French have the craftsmanship to achieve this level of mastery.
Most people don't understand most things, even the things that they think they understand.
I would hazard a guess that some could have a very general idea. But I bet there is nothing like standing there in front of the piece and examining all the little details in joinery and workmanship. And just think. That was all done by hand without the help of power tools or even electric lights to see.
My uncle made a dinner table back in the day. He was a master. Apparently someone offered him 10,000 for it way back.. but it wasent for sale. And that was just a table without any drawers lol
This thing would have costed way more then most peoples houses probably lol!
Saw this in person, it was amazing!
Never got to see the inside of it, this was great!
Love that opera box clock!
I can only imagine it looks all the more impressive in person!
Magnificent design, beyond what anyone could do today!
This is pure craftsmanship at its finest. Now I want something like this made for my new house.
Beware of what you wish, it may end up costing you more than the price of your new house .
@@jimviau327 lol. You may be right. Well I only payed 20,000 for my house . Anymore then that, I think I'll just have to keep dreaming.
Currently writing a 5 page paper on this desk and this video is very helpful! Thank you for the information!
Chelsea Ray I bet they are very big pages! I’ve never seen such an exquisite, elaborate piece of furniture; I can’t begin to imagine what it would be worth.
I would love to read your paper! This desk is fascinating. I just saw it in person while on vacation in FL. Can I get a copy?
Please make your paper available to those who are interested
What was it used for? Money? Accounting? Tax receipts? Invoices? Post Office?😂
I would love to read your paper. I hope you share it.
I’m have family from St. Augustine going all the way back to when the Spanish first settled in St. Augustine. And I’ve been to almost every Museum in that Beautiful City, but this is one Museum I will be going to once this Pandemic is over.
Why in the world are they letting this man touch this masterpiece without gloves on?
It's wood. Any added oil is a plus!
I instantly thought the same thing!
I love this, all furniture nowadays are so flat, cheap and boxy.
If only there still was as much passion and romance put
into the making of furniture as it was back then.
we need more beauty in life! o/
I mean, you can still get one, have a few 10ks to spend?
Wow, what a masterpiece of craftsmanship! I sincerely doubt that anybody today would have either the skills or the time and energy (not to mention the materials) to produce something like this. I'm in awe!
Ken Heart Well, try looking at Australia’s own Yarallumna Cabinet and the other cabinets that he makes at ruclips.net/video/iVbBlCEodqI/видео.html
@@philipbyrnes7501 Thanks for that, very nice.
There are hundreds or thousands of Americans who can make this, I work with half a dozen of them.
John Smith it’s always nice to spray others with anonymity and no proof whatsoever but I think you might be overstating the number of people capable of this type of craftsmanship as well as rudely understating the incredible quality of these tradesmen’s work and either offer proof of your statement or offer an apology to those concerned
And Ken, sorry, I forgot to mention one of my all time heroes, Craig Thibodeau. Bsotely ing work that is worth aching for here or googling his website. An amazing and generously kind gentleman, his book on veneering is well worth buying
Saw this in person many years ago in st augustine.🕊🇺🇲💕
I think I would sell my soul to to see & use this desk for just one time. It’s magical !
That's literally amazing. When i read a old novel like Dostoyevski, there is a definition about the desks like this usually. Looks like the richs always got the taste.
The most beautiful desk that I've seen in my life
Magnifique, absolutely merveilleux.
This desk was the iMac of it's time.
Ruth C maybe in terms of complexity but definitely not in terms of availability
Check the Roentgen’s Berlin Secretary Cabinet
iMacs are massed produced ! It’s Chinese junk !! This is one in 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000
Mate, no fucking comparison. Don't compare a brand known for its over simplistic approach to tech to this!
Have been tv the light museum many times. and always found this desk fascinating. Thank You for this special treat.
You welcome Mike.
Truly amazing. I am surprised to see you pulling out the chair and opening the drawers without wearing gloves.
So glad Roger got dressed up for the intro.
He just could'nt wait to show his new haircut to the camera
@@Chrystair lol
If it's on stores now, people working from home will get it to realize a comfortable work space. A thoughtful design.
Man these type of furnitures are soooo cool
Imagine having to move that monstrosity back then from one house to another.😳
I love all these 18th and 19th century over the top desks. One day this type of thing would be an ethusiasts cabinet maker's challenge. I would love to have the time, space and money to make something like this. Obviously skill level would not be on par.
no computer, modern tools, electricity , etc, etc... and today will be very difficult to make something like that..
CapApollo Well, try looking at Australia’s own Yarallumna Cabinet and the other cabinets that he makes at ruclips.net/video/iVbBlCEodqI/видео.html
@@philipbyrnes7501 GEOFF HANNAH is alive and cant find any video of him working... looks like he a living treasure.
CapApollo yes, there’s a few of him showing his work but not actually making any. Another magnificent craftsman still working is Craig Thibodeau. Truly astounding work and well worth a look as is his book on marquetry, a really great instructional read
and look at the amazing work of Craig Thibodeau at ruclips.net/channel/UCg0np2yxpd-NySev37_PimQ . An illusionist called Chris Ramsey also posted a vidéo about his work at ruclips.net/video/4Rw4NFlSLlM/видео.html
@CapApollo You say it as if it would have been _easy_ to build it back then.
Exquisite piece with a built-in chessboard. Amazing
And to think that Sam Walton started Walmart with an old door on a couple of saw horses for a desk and a couple peach crates nailed to the wall for shelves .
Oh my that's an amazing master piece of furniture
Outstanding presentation. Eloquently articulated. Thank you.
Guy: Honey, where are my keys???
Honey: It's in the drawer..!
Guy: Which drawer??
Honey: I dont recall the letter...The one on the left, bottom 3rd, middle row, where you press...
Guy: Oh never mind, I'll walk...
Lol, who needs secret drawers when you got this :))))
I think I just died a little in side after having found true love and knowing it will never be within my reach.
I love the shelf that comes out for your monitor!
I remember seeing plans for that in Practical Mechanix ;-)
Vintage “Spreadsheet”
It must have taken years to build this piece and it must be worth a fortune.
It probably did take a long time but I doubt it was one person working on this. Sure, one person must have had the vision but a master carpenter would have had apprentices along with collaborators due to the diverse skills necessary to build this
Thank you.
I m in awe😮 my cat has to use his paws to close my mouth 😂🤣🤣👍
What Europeans were doing 300 years ago...
Really puts it into perspective
Most Europeans 300 years ago were trying to find food. Because of the small group of people who could have this desk. Is it okay to say openly racist things about people if they are white?
@@ceaser500 whatever, this is the internet.
@@gui18bif 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 You're so right!!!
3:40 I thought he was gonna show us that there's a toilet under the chair.
I have yet to see another antique desk with a built-in throne.🤩
It’s stunning in its beauty craftsmanship and economyStunning!
A work of art, only exception is the lower case letters are in the upper cases. The meaning behind upper and lower case letters derives from news letter cases similar to this that stored upper case stamp in the...
Barry should be on Antiques Road Show.
Over 200 draws, some good use e.g arts and crafts corner table. ❤️
Like a personal manual office to keep track of you holdings. Low tech coolness..
There must be more behind the mirrors.
That's very imaginative.
Just Plain "WOW"
There are obviously many more hidden drawers in the upper section.
thats why experts usually x-ray pieces like that - and still struggle to find the way to open some of the compartments
Wow and it still looks good
How it's all put together
It's 2021. The latest thing is a desk that " only" raises to standing height.
Who am I kidding? I want one like that! WITH standing and tilt!
Desk envy. Desk lust
man i just want to know how they made the mechanism to open up as you pull the little table out
it's pretty easy, they're just connected by pulleys, it's a pretty common mechanism on antique rolltops, gives you a little more usable space on the desk
Verging on the ridiculous perhaps, but what a fantastic way to show off your skills and art.
Amazing.
The curator is so cool. of course the desk is too, but you should already know that
Major section overlooked: Surely the mirrors wouldn't be 'wasted' space?!
Beautiful!!!
Just an awesome makeup cabinet
The US is such an old historic country compared to others
Great critique enjoy the presentation thanks a lot
Thanks James.
There are at least 227 drawers in the bottom section. I imagine theres a lot going on behind those mirrors too!
I’m obsessed with her hair.
Yes, but does it have a cup holder?
tfw your roll top desk is so big, it has a second, smaller roll top inside of it
AWESOME 😲
This is where Statler and Waldorf are supposed to sit:)
I want to make a desk myself. I think ill make one like this LOL
I wish :)
Wow, so what about the unsung hero that made that?, any mention of that guy?
Wished you showed what it looked like in front of the chair where a person's legs would go. It looked liked more drawers.
I don't think there were drawers on the front since the ones on the side would have taken up that space.
Super.thankyu.univers
Juverely Job to Theirs Time .Perfect !!!...
Forget the carpenter's wet dream desk, she is spectacular... Catnip to a man of certain years.
Wonderful
Superbo Manufatto Artistico
If that was my desk, I'd spend most of my time trying to remember which drawer I put stuff in.
That’s The Most Intricate Stash Box To Date.
What an great piece of artifact, it's a shame people nowadays don't really make such a complex and unique piece like this anymore, the technique, mechanic complexity(perhaps not so much now) and craftsman's carving... it's fading
its good to be the king
I wonder what it would cost, if it were sold?
Go and look at the Roenntgens Berlin desk.
Good for the herb collection
wow.
This must originally have belonged to the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.
Now, where did I leave my glasses?
I might have missed it when I watched this video, but who made this, who was the cabinetmaker aka the ébénistes?
I don't think they know exactly who the cabinet maker was.
Now with all the modern technology today, you would think we could make something as cool as this but also power operated. Well no, it’s about having a minimal setup with a metal monitor, metal keyboard, etc.
Now I fully understand why French army lost in 1812 in Borodino Battle in Russia.
Just imagine loosing a important document in there
What art work
I want to know how many cabinet makers worked on it for how many years?
I don't think any information about that is known.
200 drawers, I can put everything in my home in this one desk. Ikea won't like this. (I am exaggerating.) The back of that chair is though...
If you open the drawers in the correct order while the clock tells the correct time....
Where would I put my MAC ?
Needs more drawers.