Desk c. 1890

This desk was made by R. J. Horner and Company sometime between 1886 and 1915, using wood, glass, and metal. The overall effect imitates bamboo, a popular motif at the time. But it’s not actual bamboo – this desk is expertly crafted with carved wood made to mimic the lightweight material. Horner’s company was known for its high-end furniture, often using exotic revival styles, for a wealthy clientele. Bamboo, with its connotations of the Far East, was just such a style. Look closely, and you’ll see many carefully turned elements, each one painstakingly shaped. The top is quite elaborate, with small drawers, shelves, and even a mirror – all adding to the desk’s sense of luxury. Furniture like this, though it might look quaint to our eyes today, speaks to a moment of great optimism in America, and a desire for worldly goods. It prompts us to think about the labor and resources required to create such a piece and the consumer culture that fueled its production.