Boekenkast ingelegd met biezen van ebbenhout en met gesneden gevlochten rozetten c. 1894 - 1900

Karel Petrus Cornelis de Bazel crafted this bookcase from inlaid ebony and woven rosettes. Notice how the composition strikes a balance between functionality and ornamentation. The linear architecture of the bookcase is softened by the rich textures and the play of light on the wood grain. This is a great example of De Bazel's ability to merge practicality with aesthetic depth. The geometrical clarity of the bookcase is worth exploring. De Bazel uses a structuralist approach by arranging rectangular shapes in a grid to achieve a formal unity. The symmetrical design creates a visual harmony which speaks to the broader artistic and philosophical considerations of finding order and balance in design. The woven rosettes add a layer of semiotic complexity. They function as signs, alluding to themes of nature, growth, and interconnectedness. By embedding these elements, De Bazel challenges the rigid boundaries between form and function. It encourages us to view design as a space for contemplation and meaning.