Meubilair c. 1905

Curator: This impressive piece is titled "Meubilair," created around 1905 by H.F. Jansen. It's a stunning example of carved wood furniture from that era. Editor: Wow, the level of detail is incredible! It makes me think of labor, time invested in these repetitive cuts on the wood, of class structures requiring dedicated manpower… Curator: Absolutely, you can see the hand of the artisan in every curve and flourish. The symbolism within the carving –the leafy forms – suggest a desire for natural growth and vitality, typical of the Arts and Crafts movement. Editor: Speaking of which, Arts and Crafts feels like such a reaction to the mass-produced goods flooding the market, the perfect riposte. How much of this design speaks to this movement, with the natural wood? Curator: It’s essentially its emblem! Every aspect, from the choice of material to the handcrafted carvings, celebrates a return to pre-industrial values and a connection to nature and to traditional making. Editor: It really does challenge the clean lines of industrial design which were starting to take hold. Curator: And while machines may have simplified production, pieces like "Meubilair" hold and project this very powerful emotional value of bespoke quality, individuality. We associate handmade items with authentic emotional labor. Editor: You’re right, seeing this hutch just makes one think of the forests it may come from, to think of where these materials were sourced – who turned these wooden components in a finished structure. A beautiful material composition… Curator: Thinking about craft traditions as ways of storing memory adds a layer of understanding. We inherit so much from these decorative elements: family narratives, communal experience and so much more... Editor: Right! Materially present as containers but also symbolically holding generations. Thanks for sharing! Curator: My pleasure. Thank you!