Cabinet (commode à vantaux) 1808 - 1830

This cabinet, or commode à vantaux, was made by François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter. We’re not sure exactly when, but it would have been sometime between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Look closely at the wood grain, that’s burr maple, a luxury material which is incredibly beautiful. It’s complemented by the gilded bronze details – see how they frame each section, and how the legs are formed by classical figures? And then there’s the marble top, veined and polished. This is not just a functional object, it's an exercise in taste and conspicuous consumption. It would have taken a huge amount of labor to produce, from sourcing the materials to the carving, gilding and polishing. This kind of production relied on a whole economy of making, very hierarchical, with skilled artisans at the top, and many invisible hands further down the chain. When we look at an object like this, we’re invited to consider the distance between the lifestyles of those who made it, and those who could afford to buy it.