Mathäus Funk

Mathäus Funk also spelled Matthäus Funk 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

Funk was born 18 April 1697 in Murten, Old Swiss Confederacy, to German-born Johann Lorenz Funk, a postal carrier, and Anna Margarita Funk. He completed an apprenticeship as cabinetmaker and then worked as a wandering journeyman.
He took-up residency in Bern on 23 November 1724. In 1725 he married Maria Magdalena Wäber, who hailed from an old, well-established Bernese family. They had one son, Daniel Funk, who became a watchmaker. After his wife's death, his sister-in-law, Rosina Wäber, managed the household. A brother of his wife, Abraham Wäber, emigrated to England. His nephew-in-law, John Webber, became the expedition painter of James Cook.