Quartett-Tisch in der Bibliothek des Beethoven-Hauses, Ende 18. Jahrhundert

This cherry wood quartet table with bronze table fittings was made in the 18th century. It features four music stands that can be raised by a spring pressure mechanism as well as drawers of which one has a writing mat to copy sheet music.

The first rectangular quartet tables were manufactured in France in the mid-18th century. From there, they spread all over Europe. The music tables used before were either round or oval and were not associated with a specific orchestration. When quartet play was at its height in the 19th century, quartet tables constituted the centre of private gentleman's circles. A reader of the Leipzig General Music Paper described the quartet clubs as follows: "Who used to enjoy a drink together was a friend: Soon, the quartet table will supplant the bar."

At Beethoven's time this quartet table belonged to an official from the electorate of Cologne. At his house in Linz on the Rhine he regularly held quartet and chess evenings that Beethoven supposedly attended as well.

In 1890 the official's children gave this piece of furniture (labelled a food table) to the Beethoven-Haus. Since then, it has been used at the library as a decorative desk for readers. On the occasion of the public house concert held in the Beethoven anniversary year, the quartet table was once again used for its intended purpose. (F.G.)