Bank bekleed met fluweel waarop ruitmotief c. 1905 - 1910

This velvet-covered bench with a diamond pattern was created by the Dutch design company 't Binnenhuis'. The bench reflects the cultural values of the Dutch middle class and the desire to display their taste through interior design. The textile is a vibrant yet subtle green, that gives the piece a very specific personality. But beyond its aesthetic qualities, this bench symbolizes the idea of domesticity and comfort, reflecting the changing roles of men and women in Dutch society, and the shifting ideals of family life. How might the design of this bench reinforce or challenge traditional gender roles within the domestic sphere? The bench invites us to consider the emotional connections we form with everyday objects and the stories they hold about ourselves and the world we inhabit.