Urn op een sokkel, een kandelaar, een schouw en een ornamentele rand 1817

This page of designs was likely made by Pietro Ruga, using ink on paper. It depicts a cluster of interior elements: an urn, a candlestick, a mantelpiece, and an ornamental border. The lines are precise, giving these objects a geometric, almost industrial feel. Yet, we can imagine that when brought into three dimensions, they would be quite elaborate and labor intensive. Consider the mantelpiece, for example. Its intricate carvings would require a highly skilled artisan. The urn and candlestick, too, would likely involve complex processes like casting, turning, or carving. There’s a tension here between the clean, efficient lines of the design and the handmade quality of the objects themselves. This reflects a broader social dynamic. These designs would have been destined for wealthy homes, requiring the labor of many to produce and install. The drawing represents a moment in history where design, craft, and class distinctions were closely intertwined.