Klaptafel 1759

This is a ‘Klaptafel’ or folding table, made from silver by Arnoldus van Geffen, an artisan active during the 18th century. In the Dutch Republic’s Golden Age, silver wasn’t just a material; it was a statement. Silver objects reflected a household's wealth and status. These items often depicted scenes of daily life, classical mythology or maritime power to reinforce the values of the Dutch elite. Consider how the gleam of this miniature table might have caught the light in a wealthy home, subtly broadcasting a message of prosperity and power. But there's a more intimate story here too. Such miniature pieces were often collected as novelties, and were used in ‘doll houses’. The objects in the dollhouses mirrored the adult world, reflecting ideals, aspirations, and the social norms of domestic life. As you look at it, reflect on how such an object encodes the values of the time, and how it touches on themes of aspiration, identity and the quiet power of domestic spaces.