About the Artwork
In this exquisite chest, inlays of rare hardwoods, mother-of-pearl, metal, and ivory depict saws, rulers, compasses, wood planes, hammers, mallets, and chisels — tools that would have been used by the skilled craftsman who created it. It is a celebration of the work of joiners, skillful cabinetmakers who specialized in decorating furniture with thin veneers of precious woods and other materials; indeed, the sides portray joiners creating these veneers, which were less than 2.5 millimeters thick.
This chest was crafted for the joiners’ guild — or craft organization — of Frankfurt (present-day Germany) by one of its members. It would have contained the guild’s official documents, a list of masters and journeymen, and a ceremonial drinking cup used to welcome new members. Most importantly, the chest guarded a store of money meant to support craftsmen and their families during hardship or sickness, and to pay for deceased joiners’ funeral services. Frankfurt’s community of makers relied on these resources, much like today’s retirement plans and life insurance. To ensure the contents’ security, the chest’s complex lock can only be opened by four keys, held by four leaders of the guild, and its lid lifts straight up, allowing a clear view into the container from all sides.
In addition to securing important guild possessions, the chest celebrated both the present and future of its craft community. The names of master joiners appear on the body of the chest, while those of journeymen still learning the trade appear on the lid.
Frankfurt Joiners' Guild Chest
1751
Simon Ackerholm
1715-1760
Swedish
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Oak, walnut, mother-of-pearl, green and white ivory, pewter, brass, yew, rosewood, ebony, mahogany, gilt bronze
Overall: 21 × 27 × 17 inches (53.3 × 68.6 × 43.2 cm)
Furniture
European Sculpture and Dec Arts
Gift of anonymous donor
44.80
Public Domain
Markings
Signed and dated, on the inside rim of the sunken lock housing: Simon Ackerholm von Christianstad in Schweden FiF [monogram] 29 MAY 1751
Provenance
until 1944, private collection (Detroit, Michigan, USA);1944-present, gift to the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan, USA)
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Provenance pageExhibition History
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The exhibition history of a number of objects in our collection only begins after their acquisition by the museum, and may reflect an incomplete record.
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Suggest FeedbackPublished References
Robinson, Francis W. "Chest." Bulletin of the DIA 23, 8 (May 1944): p. 66 (ill.).
Weir, Annette K. “Material Culture of the Guild: A Study of a German Cabinetmakers’ Guild Chest.” Studies in Eighteenth-Century Culture 28 (1999): pp. 173-205.
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Credit Line for Reproduction
Simon Ackerholm, Frankfurt Joiners' Guild Chest, 1751, oak, walnut, mother-of-pearl, green and white ivory, pewter, brass, yew, rosewood, ebony, mahogany, gilt bronze. Detroit Institute of Arts, Gift of anonymous donor, 44.80.
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