c. 1915 - 1925
Kastje dat als theemeubel werd gebruikt
Carel Adolph Lion Cachet
1864 - 1945Location
RijksmuseumListen to curator's interpretation
Curatorial notes
Carel Adolph Lion Cachet crafted this cabinet, intended as a tea station, from wood, but when, exactly, remains a mystery. The piece is striking. It's not just the dark, swirling grain of the wood, but the way it's offset by delicate inlays. Take a look at the repeated geometric motifs across the surface - it's like a minimalist pattern, carved into the wood itself. There is something so interesting about the tension between the heaviness of the wood and the delicacy of the design. I'm reminded of the work of Greene and Greene, the American architects known for their handcrafted homes. Like them, Cachet seems to revel in the beauty of natural materials, letting the wood speak for itself. But while Greene and Greene were all about bringing the outdoors in, Cachet seems more interested in creating a self-contained world, a miniature temple to the rituals of tea. It's a reminder that art isn't just about what we see, but how we live with it.