Work Table 1857 - 1860

F. J. Henkel crafted this walnut work table, a utilitarian piece that reflects the gendered spaces of labor and leisure in the late 19th century. This work table gives us insight into the division of labor within middle- and upper-class households, where women were often confined to domestic roles. The table embodies a sense of both opportunity and constraint, offering a space for creative work, but also symbolizing the limitations placed on women's professional aspirations. Consider how the table’s design merges functionality with ornamentation, reflecting the values and aesthetic preferences of the time. The inclusion of a footrest suggests a prolonged engagement with craft, making me wonder how this piece was a site of both labor and perhaps even resistance against social constraints. Through this table, we can consider not just its physical form, but also the social structures and personal experiences it represents.