Twee boekenkasten 1832 - 1877

This print from an unknown artist depicts two bookcases and was likely made in France in the 19th century. As an advertisement for a furniture maker, this image tells us a lot about the rising middle class. The bookcases are objects of refined taste, demonstrating wealth and an appreciation of cultural values. The ornate details such as the carved figures, and foliage, also reflect the French style of the time. They also imply the social status of the book owner. But the image also raises questions about the production and distribution of luxury goods in this period. Who made these bookcases, and under what conditions? How were they marketed to consumers? Understanding the answers to these questions requires close examination of the social and economic history of 19th-century France. Trade journals, census records, and business archives will provide more detail.