Ontwerp voor een kapstok c. 1865 - 1870

Joseph Kusterer drafted this design for a coat rack with pencil and paper, though the exact date remains unknown. The elaborate ornamentation of the coat rack, adorned with animal figures and detailed scrollwork, speaks to the opulence and social stratification of its time. The design reflects a culture where even functional objects were imbued with symbols of status and artistry, indicating that access to such finely crafted items would have been limited by class. As we consider the purpose of a coat rack - to hold the outer layers that protect us from the elements - we might reflect on how clothing itself functions as a marker of identity. This design can lead us to consider who was afforded the luxury of such elaborate attire and who was tasked with its care. The visual elements prompt questions about labor, leisure, and the silent narratives embedded within the everyday objects that surround us.