Settee (one of a pair) 1769 - 1771

Curator: Looking at this settee, its presence almost transcends mere function. I mean, look at the dynamism of the Rococo frame—the gilding is exuberantly excessive! Editor: It does feel rather lavish, doesn’t it? But also… a little overdone, perhaps? The colour and patterns feel quite intense on such a large scale. Curator: Well, that intensity speaks volumes. Dating from around 1769 to 1771, this is one of a pair attributed to John Mayhew, made with gilded wood, with a foundation in sculpture, but with ornament and woven textile as its dominant elements. The floral embroidery screams of aristocratic leisure, wouldn't you say? Editor: Aristocratic leisure, certainly. But I’m more interested in how that labor connects back to social status. Who would have been crafting such elaborate upholstery? What were their lives like compared to those who would have lounged upon it? It prompts one to consider the conditions of the work. Curator: An important question. But let's consider the aesthetic impact for a moment. Note the asymmetry so typical of the Rococo period, in both the shape of the frame and the arrangement of the floral design in the textile. Editor: The structure almost dissolves into decoration; I see that. However, there seems a contrast between that gilded, sculpted structure and the tapestry’s woven nature that gives it the feel of a separate composition—like two art forms clumsily forced into being one. Curator: But is that such a failure? It gives the eye so much to track. I believe its triumph lies in the way the structure amplifies that sense of sumptuousness, particularly for elite audiences of its time. Editor: And it's equally thought-provoking to question why, in the present day, something so lavish can seem almost… unsettling, given our shifting understanding of craft and production. This settee prompts so many material and socioeconomic investigations! Curator: Indeed! This object manages to unite function, craft, and aesthetics in quite a remarkable, though potentially challenging way. Editor: And that push and pull is precisely where we find the deepest engagement, prompting new insight with every perspective.