Table c. 1936

This is a drawing of a ‘Mahogany Table’ made by Nicholas Acampora. It is a technical drawing of a piece of furniture; an object made to be functional, but with the capacity to be elevated to something beautiful. It is important to consider the cultural significance of furniture. The design, materials, and craftsmanship of a table can reflect the values, tastes, and social status of its owner, as well as the cultural and historical context in which it was made. Mahogany is a tropical hardwood, prized for its beauty and durability. It suggests a degree of wealth and a connection to colonial trade networks. To understand the deeper context of this drawing, we can research the history of furniture design, the use of mahogany in different periods, and the social and economic factors that influenced furniture making. The role of the historian is to look at the cultural codes embedded in the object.