Construction of an 18th-century French Mechanical Table

The innovative mechanics and artistry of Jean-François Oeben's table continue to amaze. Learn more in this short video.

See how the table operates and how it may have been used:

#artconservation #conservation #gettyconservation #gettymuseum

[CatherineSTodd]

"continue to amaze" is right... this is incredible, and beautiful at the same time! And all before computers and internet. Human imagination and execution is simply endless. Thanks for posting such a interesting video. The video itself showing construction details is almost as fascinating as the desk itself!

[erikmann]

Beautiful piece of furniture. Being able to see how the mechanisms actually worked in the CGI was very nice. I watched the Berlin Secretary Cabinet video and would've loved to seen a similar representation of its inner workings as well. Fascinating craftsmanship on the many pieces from that era.

[Meticularius]

Thank you for this demonstration. It is the finest I have ever seen.

[SBSimulationsFerroviairesEEP]

Merci du partage de ce travail de maîtres des anciens temps! De France et d'ailleurs! Stéph.

[MyJigarpatel]

Mechanical table made with maximum perfection.Great combination of art and science. 

[Rouverius]

Amazing.
Suggestion: I think the final scene would better if we saw the actual table in action.

[gamedad]

I love old furniture of yesteryear...they really created some art back in the day! That little desk is amazing!! :)

[graziellamarchicelli]

What an extraordinary desk!  The animation showing all of the desk's movements and layers is amazing in itself.  But, I was expecting to see the actual desk itself in action -- too bad.  

[josejesusvillacerda]

That beauty and so ingenious design and outstanding. It's amazing that was designed in the 18th century. What a fine finish. Que belleza y que diseño tan ingenioso y sobresaliente. Es increible que haya sido diseñado en el siglo 18. Que fino acabado.

[onefeather]

Would love to have one. Beautiful work in wood and art.

[walterrider]

oh my what a piece of work . great stuff

[hackneysaregreat]

Outstanding animation.
Howmany hourse of work were neeeded to build a table like this?

[id]

OMG this is more complex than my smartphone!

[elizabetheaton]

Who produced this video animation for the Getty? What programs were used?

[CatherineSTodd]

And how many hours to create the animation in the video? What programs and who produced it?

[samiiglavnii]

Hello, where I can buy these mechanism for table?

[MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive]

This makes me think of Fireproof Game's "The Room."

[SuperMan-xyui]

All made before the advent of mass production, which means all the metal pieces were custom manufactured.

[Дмитрий_]

Так что же дает такая сложность конструкции? Удобно пользоваться?

[AkaHappinnes-blvy]

I have watched a table sample. What is the message here?