Kraantjeskan op tafel c. 1830 - 1850

This is a design drawing of a “Kraantjeskan op tafel,” or water fountain on a table, by Firma Feuchère. It is made with pencil on paper. Notice the level of detail, indicative of a highly skilled draftsman, and the complexity of the fountain itself, with its tiered structure, ornate carvings, and multiple spouts. It’s like a miniature architecture. Presumably this was intended for production in metal – perhaps silver or cast iron. The chosen material would have influenced its weight, texture, and overall appearance, lending either refinement or a more industrial character. Fountains such as this were emblems of luxury and status, signifying access to clean water and the means to display wealth. The design process itself involved considerable labor. The drawing would have been followed by mold-making, casting, chasing, and assembly. Considering this object, we can appreciate how the concept of ‘art’ has often been set apart from the realities of material production and the labor that sustains it. Objects like these occupy an ambiguous zone, between fine art, design, and craft.