Cabinet 1857 - 1860

This cabinet, made by Léon Marcotte, is an exquisite example of nineteenth-century furniture making. Look closely at the contrasting materials: the dark, polished wood against the delicate, gilded details, and the bronze relief. The cabinet is a testament to the labor involved in creating luxury objects. The wood would have been carefully selected, seasoned, and meticulously worked by skilled hands. The bronze relief, likely cast using the lost wax method, showcases a classical scene, adding an air of refinement. The gilding, applied with painstaking precision, highlights the cabinet’s elegant form. Pieces like this blur the line between furniture and sculpture. It's a useful reminder that design objects have always been made by skilled tradespeople, working within specific social and economic conditions, and that their labor deserves our attention.