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.^[1][2]

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.^[3]

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.^[4][5][6]