Ontwerp voor een kast ter nagedachtenis aan J.H. Neethling 1874 - 1945

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet designed this cabinet in 1910, likely using pencil and paper. It's a memorial to J.H. Neethling, to be made of ebony wood, with bronze portrait and trim. Although this is just a drawing, you can feel how the qualities of these materials would influence the final form. Ebony is dense, dark, and strong, perfect for a stately commemorative object. Bronze is similarly weighty and enduring, and would offer a contrast in color and sheen. The design incorporates carved details, suggesting the hand of a skilled artisan, while the overall symmetry and clean lines hint at machine production. Consider the amount of labor involved in realizing this design: the harvesting of the ebony, the casting of the bronze, the intricate carving and joinery. The cabinet becomes more than just a piece of furniture; it’s a testament to craft, and a monument to industry and remembrance. By appreciating the making and the materials, we understand the social and cultural values embedded in this work, blurring the lines between design, craft, and fine art.