Card Table 1835 - 1850

Editor: So this is "Card Table," dating from 1835 to 1850, made by an anonymous artist. It resides here at the Art Institute of Chicago. The wood grain is particularly striking. How do you approach something so...functional, but also clearly designed to be beautiful? Curator: The initial assessment directs one to examine the formal qualities. The table presents a clear hierarchy of forms, progressing from the robust base, up through the lyre-shaped support, culminating in the rectangular top. What do you notice about the interplay of curves and straight lines? Editor: I see it! The curves are definitely dominant, especially in the base and those flowing lyre supports, but the sharp rectangle of the tabletop provides a nice contrast, a visual grounding. Curator: Precisely. Consider also the wood itself. The grain, strongly emphasized through the finishing, acts as a unifying element. It moves the eye throughout the structure, animating the entire piece. How might you describe the impact of that particular design choice on the table's aesthetic value? Editor: The grain almost becomes another layer of decoration, like a pattern imposed on the form, elevating it from a simple object to something more visually complex and appealing. Curator: Indeed. Furthermore, the interplay between its functional intent and aesthetic design reveals the complex visual rhetoric typical of furniture created for wealthy households. Every choice from selecting the raw materials, creating an efficient design and carving intricate detail reflects societal values assigned to luxury items. In many respects the materiality conveys messages about economic status, something function alone fails to articulate so powerfully. Editor: That's fascinating! I hadn't considered the ways material and composition choices reflect on economics, function, or rhetoric. Curator: Paying close attention to form and its components often enables the unpacking the symbolic work. Editor: This has given me a completely different perspective on decorative arts!