Lightner Museum The Desk

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.

[@satsumamoon]

There are at least 127 drawers in the bottom section. I imagine theres a lot going on behind those mirrors too!

[@robertadams5479]

Since it was a kings desk. I would say IOU’s and leverage.

[@daveh9803]

Stacks of gold and silver!

[@unknown36919]

Absolutely exquisite piece of old craftsmanship 🤯 I want this in my living room 🤯💯

[@vladislavandreev7257]

What will you keep in all these numerous drawers?😄

[@carolbautista7284]

A desk for the obsessive-compulsive filer/hoarder! I want one!

[@wendyhaase4401]

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

[@Aramanth]

Saw this in person, it was amazing! Never got to see the inside of it, this was great! Love that opera box clock!

[@Robert-xp4ii]

Incredible! Who wouldn't love to own such a wonderful piece?!

[@parkerduncan1449]

I can only imagine it looks all the more impressive in person!

[@mafirearmsafety]

Magnificent design, beyond what anyone could do today!

[@cgj28ok]

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

[@caleb1031]

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.

[@TheBoredFella]

@@caleb1031 probably a whole library full

[@badlandskid]

This is where the Perloined Letter was stolen. 😁

[@batchint]

it depends weather you kept a collection of different buttons for clothing or the like...

[@walkercolt7926]

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

[@chelsearay8310]

Currently writing a 5 page paper on this desk and this video is very helpful! Thank you for the information!

[@Shybairnsgetnowt1]

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.

[@mikeingraham611]

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?

[@Beevreeter]

Please make your paper available to those who are interested

[@keystonebrotherb]

What was it used for? Money? Accounting? Tax receipts? Invoices? Post Office?😂

[@marikaperlman9404]

I would love to read your paper. I hope you share it.

[@eligebrown8998]

This is pure craftsmanship at its finest. Now I want something like this made for my new house.

[@jimviau327]

Beware of what you wish, it may end up costing you more than the price of your new house .

[@eligebrown8998]

@@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.

[@1LEgGOdt]

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.

[@Beevreeter]

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!

[@philipbyrnes7501]

Ken Heart Well, try looking at Australia’s own Yarallumna Cabinet and the other cabinets that he makes at kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4fFc595etSXp6s

[@Beevreeter]

@@philipbyrnes7501 Thanks for that, very nice.

[@johnsmith1474]

There are hundreds or thousands of Americans who can make this, I work with half a dozen of them.

[@philipbyrnes7501]

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

[@philipbyrnes7501]

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

[@marikaperlman9404]

I think I would sell my soul to to see & use this desk for just one time. It’s magical !

[@solidsnake9332]

I dont think people understand the severe mastery you have to have to finesse such a thing. . .

[@johnsmith1474]

@Ronnie Civella - His comment was perfectly civil. Where did you learn how to read, prison?

[@jeanpelletier206]

Nobody can make furniture like in America. Only the French have the craftsmanship to achieve this level of mastery.

[@ThinkerOnTheBus]

Most people don't understand most things, even the things that they think they understand.

[@keats182]

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.

[@joshuanorris5860]

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!

[@brucecavey9759]

Awesome inlaid and color combinations of the various woods used ! Great design and use of space and storage ! Stunning piece

[@cheryldodd-marko9787]

Saw this in person many years ago in st augustine.🕊🇺🇲💕

[@jeremylicornes5561]

Magnifique, absolutely merveilleux.

[@Ramon609]

Man these type of furnitures are soooo cool

[@Tsubaki666]

The most beautiful desk that I've seen in my life

[@CharlesHood55]

Why in the world are they letting this man touch this masterpiece without gloves on?

[@ronniepirtlejr2606]

It's wood. Any added oil is a plus!

[@petehernandez9360]

I instantly thought the same thing!

[@sselimkahverengi]

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.

[@r.mercado9737]

Outstanding presentation. Eloquently articulated. Thank you.

[@dingku2097]

Oh my that's an amazing master piece of furniture

[@SpookyCrown]

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/

[@TheEtherny]

I mean, you can still get one, have a few 10ks to spend?

[@LJB103]

Truly amazing. I am surprised to see you pulling out the chair and opening the drawers without wearing gloves.

[@CapApollo]

no computer, modern tools, electricity , etc, etc... and today will be very difficult to make something like that..

[@philipbyrnes7501]

CapApollo Well, try looking at Australia’s own Yarallumna Cabinet and the other cabinets that he makes at kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4fFc595etSXp6s

[@CapApollo]

@@philipbyrnes7501 GEOFF HANNAH is alive and cant find any video of him working... looks like he a living treasure.

[@philipbyrnes7501]

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

[@bjyd4263]

and look at the amazing work of Craig Thibodeau at kzbin.info/door/g0np2yxpd-NySev37_PimQ . An illusionist called Chris Ramsey also posted a vidéo about his work at kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoPaZYF8obh_oq8

[@notfeedynotlazy]

@CapApollo You say it as if it would have been _easy_ to build it back then.

[@jenniferjuniper97]

Exquisite piece with a built-in chessboard. Amazing

[@rlo2367]

Imagine having to move that monstrosity back then from one house to another.😳

[@willar1338]

I love the shelf that comes out for your monitor!

[@TheCulturalCompass]

It’s stunning in its beauty craftsmanship and economyStunning!

[@randyscott3386]

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 .

[@vanmonroe4346]

So glad Roger got dressed up for the intro.

[@Chrystair]

He just could'nt wait to show his new haircut to the camera

[@vanmonroe4346]

@@Chrystair lol

[@mariospizzaandwinebar]

Vintage “Spreadsheet”

[@tjm3900]

I remember seeing plans for that in Practical Mechanix ;-)

[@bipinrana7116]

Thank you.

[@gm2407]

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.

[@susanresha8107]

I think I just died a little in side after having found true love and knowing it will never be within my reach.

[@ChintanPandya01]

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...

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

Lol, who needs secret drawers when you got this :))))

[@ruthc8407]

This desk was the iMac of it's time.

[@stephanies.9620]

Ruth C maybe in terms of complexity but definitely not in terms of availability

[@basiliskos119]

Check the Roentgen’s Berlin Secretary Cabinet

[@mrcwoodworks4523]

iMacs are massed produced ! It’s Chinese junk !! This is one in 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000

[@gui18bif]

Mate, no fucking comparison. Don't compare a brand known for its over simplistic approach to tech to this!

[@larryvaughn2567]

It must have taken years to build this piece and it must be worth a fortune.

[@AaronGeller]

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

[@JesusLovesHisCreations]

I m in awe😮 my cat has to use his paws to close my mouth 😂🤣🤣👍

[@timothykozlowski2945]

That's very imaginative.

[@ethanbarnes7013]

man i just want to know how they made the mechanism to open up as you pull the little table out

[@saccharinesilk]

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

[@dustinworrick9173]

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...

[@da96103]

3:40 I thought he was gonna show us that there's a toilet under the chair.

[@nelsoncaraballo9446]

Just Plain "WOW"

[@gui18bif]

What Europeans were doing 300 years ago... Really puts it into perspective

[@ceaser500]

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?

[@gui18bif]

@@ceaser500 whatever, this is the internet.

[@ceaser500]

@@gui18bif 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 You're so right!!!

[@geisteswissenschaft]

There must be more behind the mirrors.

[@AntiVillain26845]

I have yet to see another antique desk with a built-in throne.🤩

[@sandraadames9534]

Wow and it still looks good How it's all put together

[@ghostdog1454]

Like a personal manual office to keep track of you holdings. Low tech coolness..

[@nonenoneonenonenone]

There are obviously many more hidden drawers in the upper section.

[@PeyaLuna]

thats why experts usually x-ray pieces like that - and still struggle to find the way to open some of the compartments

[@barron204]

Amazing.

[@JimmyGrl09]

Beautiful!!!

[@dzunglu7184]

Over 200 draws, some good use e.g arts and crafts corner table. ❤️

[@pollobionico]

Barry should be on Antiques Road Show.

[@jamesmarkey5946]

Great critique enjoy the presentation thanks a lot

[@Bansemer]

Thanks James.

[@eastcoastartist]

Yes, but does it have a cup holder?

[@GodsOath_com]

Just an awesome makeup cabinet

[@seldonwright4345]

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

[@jchill5229]

AWESOME 😲

[@davidtanslow3584]

Verging on the ridiculous perhaps, but what a fantastic way to show off your skills and art.

[@reilea9977]

Wished you showed what it looked like in front of the chair where a person's legs would go. It looked liked more drawers.

[@Bansemer]

I don't think there were drawers on the front since the ones on the side would have taken up that space.

[@dickiebrewer1232]

The curator is so cool. of course the desk is too, but you should already know that

[@veerababu2057]

Super.thankyu.univers

[@irishelk3]

Wow, so what about the unsung hero that made that?, any mention of that guy?

[@captainhindsight8779]

The US is such an old historic country compared to others

[@salmanalqahtani6943]

I’m obsessed with her hair.

[@joshuanorris5860]

I want to make a desk myself. I think ill make one like this LOL I wish :)

[@saccharinesilk]

tfw your roll top desk is so big, it has a second, smaller roll top inside of it

[@jeffaicher1245]

Major section overlooked: Surely the mirrors wouldn't be 'wasted' space?!

[@lindamclean8809]

Wonderful

[@ioleromeo919]

Superbo Manufatto Artistico

[@jemaltedoradze098]

Juverely Job to Theirs Time .Perfect !!!...

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

This is where Statler and Waldorf are supposed to sit:)

[@k.a.davison9897]

I want to know how many cabinet makers worked on it for how many years?

[@Bansemer]

I don't think any information about that is known.

[@SithMami]

I wonder what it would cost, if it were sold?

[@jimviau327]

Where would I put my MAC ?

[@leapyear9460]

Good for the herb collection

[@jlmww]

What’s in the space behind those two mirrors?

[@Bansemer]

I really don't know but my guess is "more drawers"

[@jeangenet796]

Who built it.....🤔

[@Injudiciously]

Forget the carpenter's wet dream desk, she is spectacular... Catnip to a man of certain years.

[@MFO6]

If that was my desk, I'd spend most of my time trying to remember which drawer I put stuff in.

[@fightingbear8537]

What art work

[@toknowthetruth2605]

They should have mentioned the name of the master furniture maker or the company.

[@Bansemer]

I believe that information is unknown.

[@LKINTELLIGENCE]

*Collection of hundreds of useless secret drawers but is simply called a desk.*

[@thepixelstash3078]

They certainly weren't useless at the time. Before computer memory made desks like this obsolete, imagine how much paper work a governor or some other official would have to store, and know where was stored. Besides, with all those hidden drawers, imagine how much blackmail could be hidden in there!

[@MMijdus]

This must originally have belonged to the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.

[@sinbaon2154]

That’s The Most Intricate Stash Box To Date.

[@Warrrenjstephens]

What's behind the mirrors?

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

The man

[@karlievbayram811]

Now I fully understand why French army lost in 1812 in Borodino Battle in Russia.

[@738polarbear]

Go and look at the Roenntgens Berlin desk.

[@oldwaitekauri]

Now, where did I leave my glasses?

[@thisisjames4474]

Needs more drawers.

[@djplonghead5403]

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.

[@VivekGuptaIn]

sTaNdInG dEsK iS cOoL...!

[@chandraniruberu8624]

Just imagine loosing a important document in there

[@khangsector]

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...

[@alleyviper01]

If you open the drawers in the correct order while the clock tells the correct time....

[@katerinadicamella]

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