Twee kasten after 1878

This print from ‘Le Magasin de Meubles’ or ‘The Furniture Store’ depicts two different designs for a ‘etagere a decouper’ or ‘carving shelf’, and offers us a fascinating glimpse into the world of 19th-century Parisian furniture design and consumption. Published in Paris, the print would have been intended to showcase the latest styles and trends in furniture, aimed at attracting potential customers to purchase these items for their homes. The furniture store itself was a new institution, a key element in a burgeoning consumer culture, and this print, with its detailed renderings and precise measurements, served as a form of advertising and marketing. The two designs, though similar, suggest that there was a market for different tastes and preferences, reflecting the growing diversity and social stratification of Parisian society. Examining sources such as trade directories and exhibition catalogues could reveal more about the furniture store that commissioned this print and its place in the broader landscape of Parisian commerce and industry.