F.C. Köppen’s mirrors and consoles

Both consoles are from around 1790 and feature a label with the wording: “Forfærdiget hos billedhugger F.C. Köppen boende på Østergade 48, Kiöpenhavn”. (Manufactured by sculptor F.C. Köppen residing at Østergade 48, Copenhagen.)

Christopher Friderich Köppen (1756-1815) was one of Copenhagen’s most preeminent late eighteenth-century cabinetmakers. Köppen, or Kiøppen, as he would sometimes sign his name, was given licence as a sculptor in Copenhagen in 1789 but is better known for his cabinetmaking. In 1792-93, Köppen advertised his business as: “All sorts of modern mirrors according to latest taste” and “Console tables, pedestals, white Italian marble plates, etc.”

Köppen supplied the Royal Furniture Storage, Det Kgl. Møbelmagasin, which was headed by J.C. Lillie, who later became Royal Decorator. Under Lillie’s tenure, Köppen took part in the decoration of the chambers of the Crown Prince, later Frederik VI, at Christiansborg Palace, Copenhagen.

With all probability Köppen also followed Lillie’s blueprint when designing these consoles and mirrors. In 1797, Köppen replaced Lillie as director of the Royal Furniture Storage and when the institution was dissolved in 1815 he purchased the rights himself.

The Chamber of Commerce stated that Köppen “for 18 years has served the Storage and in addition to his duties as director has also helped the professionals [i.e. artisan craftsmen] as designer or master of designs”. Literature: Tove Clemmesen: “Møbler af N.H. Jadin, C.F. Harsdoff og J.C. Lillie,” Copenhagen, 1973.

Provenience: The consoles and mirrors were purchased in Copenhagen by Helmer Lundgreen (1815-1892), merchant and member of the upper chamber of the Norwegian parliament for Trondheim. He was also founder of the steamship company Nordenfjeldske Dampskibsselskab – later known as Hurtigruten. Ownership of the items was later transferred to Consul Edward Sommerschield (1836-1915), also from Trondheim.

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The auction of furniture takes place from November 30 to December 1 at Bredgade 33 in Copenhagen.