Lot Essay
John Joseph Merlin was born in Huys (part of modern-day Belgium) in 1735. He did his apprenticeship in Paris where he probably encountered the "fauteuil ...pour ceux qui ont la goute au jambes" published by Grollier de Serviene. He would have also known of the "fauteuil mechanique" made by the cabinet-maker Jean-Francias Oeben for the Duc de Bourgoyne in 1760.
In 1760 he came to London as a member of the court of the Conde de Fuentes, Ambassador to England. He later went to work for the famous goldsmith James Cox, where he was much appreciated. By 1773 he was self-employed and began inventing and obtaining patents, for amongst other things a rotissere, harpsicord and money-scale.
In the late 1780's he opened a Mechanical Museum, following the example of Cox. This lasted for many years, unlike Cox's. Having cultivated an image of gentleman-ametuer, as opposed to a tradesman, and with premesises in fashionable Hanover Square, he was able to move in society with ease. This is shown by the fact he sat for a portrait by Gainsborough.
Merlin described himself as a "mathematical instrument maker" as was the norm of the day. However, this is more appropriate a description for a scientific instrument maker, whereas Merlin was more of a technical instrument maker, akin to Benjamin Franklin or Thomas Edison.
This particular chair is believed to have originally come from Sudbury Hall, Suffolk, home of the Vernon family.
A similar chair was sold in these rooms on 6 October 1983, lot 27.
In 1760 he came to London as a member of the court of the Conde de Fuentes, Ambassador to England. He later went to work for the famous goldsmith James Cox, where he was much appreciated. By 1773 he was self-employed and began inventing and obtaining patents, for amongst other things a rotissere, harpsicord and money-scale.
In the late 1780's he opened a Mechanical Museum, following the example of Cox. This lasted for many years, unlike Cox's. Having cultivated an image of gentleman-ametuer, as opposed to a tradesman, and with premesises in fashionable Hanover Square, he was able to move in society with ease. This is shown by the fact he sat for a portrait by Gainsborough.
Merlin described himself as a "mathematical instrument maker" as was the norm of the day. However, this is more appropriate a description for a scientific instrument maker, whereas Merlin was more of a technical instrument maker, akin to Benjamin Franklin or Thomas Edison.
This particular chair is believed to have originally come from Sudbury Hall, Suffolk, home of the Vernon family.
A similar chair was sold in these rooms on 6 October 1983, lot 27.