Designs for a Table and a Table Base 19th century

This sheet presents designs for a table and its base, rendered with ink on paper, by an anonymous artist. The composition is neatly divided, showcasing a detailed elevation and a plan view. The fine lines and intricate details suggest a concern for precision and aesthetic appeal. Notice how the verticality of the table's support, articulated through a spiraling, ornate column, contrasts with the horizontal spread of its base. This interplay creates a visual tension, drawing the eye upward while grounding the structure. The base's radial symmetry further enhances the design's balance and elegance. The design reflects a preoccupation with ornamentation, typical of period furniture design. Yet, it also engages with broader questions of form and function. The piece destabilizes the conventional understanding of furniture as merely utilitarian, instead transforming it into an object of visual and intellectual contemplation.