Christiani, Franz-Josef: Writing furniture designs for masterpieces by Brunswick cabinetmakers from the first half of the 19th century
Braunschweig: Publications from the Braunschweig Municipal Museum, Series B - Braunschweiger Werkstücke, 1979
Franz-Josef Christiani's study is a central reference work on handcrafted furniture production in northern Germany around 1800 up to the middle of the 19th century. Based on the systematic analysis of the master cracks preserved in the Braunschweig city archives, the book offers a unique insight into the training practices of the carpenters' guild.
In addition to a historical account of the Brunswick carpenters' guild and its examination regulations, Christiani devotes particular attention to the technical drawings that were produced as part of the master craftsman's examination. The designs are analysed in terms of their construction, stylistic history and materials. The large number of original cracks and their comparison with surviving pieces of furniture allow well-founded conclusions to be drawn about regional stylistic features, changes in form and transitions from Classicism to Biedermeier.