The cabinetmaker Christian Jakob Preisler, 1712–1779, came from Dredsden, Germany. He was of the Preisler genus which dates all the way back to 1471. From which also the famous copper engraver J.M. Preisler came from. In 1733 he came to Copenhagen where he was granted citizenship in 1738. He must have received a good education when the magnificent walnut veneered commode, whose signature appears at the bottom, was executed in 1740 for the king Christian VI and today can be seen at Rosenborg castle. This master piece must be considered among the earliest and most significant works in French rococo in the style of Charles Cressents in Denmark. He is believed to have supplied a few other pieces of furniture to the court, but seems to have worked predominantly for private clients and also as a carpenter. An interior at Ledreborg from 1751 has excellent carpentry from his hand. In 1771 he performed the carpentry work in that of C.F. Harsdorff redesigned dining room at Frederiksberg Castle. Prisler became a wealthy man and owned a house in Magstræde from 1775 and a property at Frederiksberg, the so called 'Snedkergård'.

Litreture: Dansk Biografisk Leksikon, Gyldendal.

Provenance: The bureau is inherited in direct line by descendants from the court cabinetmaker Christian Jacob Preisler and has been in the Preisler family's ownership ever since.