Console Table 1st half of 17th century

Curator: This Console Table, crafted by an unidentified maker, presents a compelling intersection of form and function. It’s currently part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: My immediate impression is one of rustic charm. I can see the hand-carved details—there is a strong emphasis on craft. Curator: Indeed, the piece resonates with notions of labor and production. We might ask who had access to such a table, and what social hierarchies did it reinforce? Editor: The turned legs and scalloped apron reveal a tension between utility and ornamentation, speaking to broader issues of value, labor, and consumption in design. Curator: It really invites us to consider the social context of craftsmanship. Considering the unidentified maker, it compels us to ask: Whose stories are often omitted? Editor: Precisely. It pushes us to think about the unsung artisans whose skills have shaped our material world. Curator: A potent reminder to engage with the narrative behind such pieces. Editor: Absolutely; let’s consider this piece with a renewed appreciation for the means of its production.