Mathäus Funk

Mathäus Funk
Funk portrayed by John Webber, c. 1770
Born	Mathäus Funk (1697-04-18)18 April 1697 Murten, Old Swiss Confederacy (now Switzerland)
Died	24 September 1783(1783-09-24) (aged 86) Bern, Old Swiss Confederacy
Occupation(s)	Cabinet maker, ebonist
Era	Baroque
Spouse	Maria Magdalena Wäber ​ ​ (m. 1725)​
Children	1
Relatives	John Webber (nephew-in-law)

Mathäus Funk also spelled Matthäus Funk (German pronunciation: [mataːʊs funk]; 18 April 1697 - 24 September 1783) was a Swiss ebonist and cabinet maker who was primarily active in Bern, Switzerland. Many of his furniture pieces were featured in notable auctions like Lempertz or Sotheby's.

Life

Erlacherhof with furniture by M. Funk (Bern, Switzerland)

Funk was born 18 April 1697 in Murten, Old Swiss Confederacy, to German-born Johann Lorenz Funk, a postal carrier, and Anna Margarita Funk (née Sergant). He completed an apprenticeship as cabinet maker followed by journeyman years learning the ebonist trade.

He took-up residency in Bern on 23 November 1724. Since 1725 he was married to Maria Magdalena Wäber, who hailed from an old, well-established Bernese family. They had one son, Daniel Funk, who became a watch maker. After the death his sister-in-law, Rosina Wäber, managed the household. Another brother of his wife, Abraham Wäber, emigrated to England. His nephew-in-law, John Webber, became the expedition painter of James Cook.