Kast 1885 - 1895

This print of a *Kast*, or cabinet, was made by Léon Laroche to showcase furniture designs. The print renders a proposed design in ink and watercolor. But let's imagine this design materialized in wood. The cabinet's Louis XVI style would require significant woodworking skills, including carving, joinery, and veneering. Gilding and painted decoration would add to the richness. Imagine the contrast between the smooth, polished surfaces and the intricate relief carvings. The social context of this piece speaks to the opulence of the late 18th century. It represents a world of skilled labor, artistic collaboration, and consumption. The cabinet embodies the high value placed on craftsmanship and decorative arts at the time. Paying attention to the materials, labor and modes of production that went into furniture design enriches our experience. It blurs the lines between 'high art' and design history, inviting us to consider the broader cultural and economic context of all creative practices.