Side table (commode servante or commode desserte) 1785 - 1795

Editor: We’re looking at a side table, or *commode servante*, crafted between 1785 and 1795 by Jean Henri Riesener. The use of wood and gold is just…astonishing. There's a richness to it. How do you even begin to think about a piece like this? Curator: Let's start with what's right in front of us. Wood and gold, yes, but also the process of layering, of veneering, of carving. Riesener wasn’t just creating an object, but constructing a statement about the material world. Where do you see the evidence of labor here? Editor: I suppose in the intricate gold details; how painstakingly each flourish must have been applied? Curator: Exactly. This isn’t just about aesthetics; it reflects a complex social dynamic. This level of craftsmanship meant a substantial investment of both labor and resources. Does knowing that change how you view it? Editor: It makes me wonder about the hands that made it, and for whom it was intended. What does a side table like this *do*, besides look impressive? Curator: Functionality is almost secondary. This piece represents a moment of material excess. Think about pre-revolution France and the role that objects played in solidifying class differences. It’s about *display*. Editor: So, it's not just a beautiful object, but a symptom of larger societal trends relating to production, consumption and social class in pre-revolutionary France. I see it differently now. Curator: Indeed. Considering the labor, the resources, and the intent behind the commode unlocks a whole new understanding. What’s next? Editor: I’ll never look at furniture the same way again! Thanks, this has been incredibly helpful.