Dairy Counter 1935 - 1942

Lawrence Foster rendered this "Dairy Counter," a utilitarian object, with a peculiar formality. The drawers, each marked with a circular pull, remind me of countless storage spaces across time. These drawers are not unlike the coffers depicted in medieval altarpieces where relics of saints were kept, or even the chests painted on Roman sarcophagi destined to hold earthly remains. This impulse to compartmentalize, to organize our world into manageable units, speaks to a deep psychological need. Look at the handles: simple circles that invite touch, promising access to hidden contents. Consider how these shapes have echoed through history, from the bronze bosses on ancient shields to the decorative knobs on Victorian furniture. These details, seemingly mundane, engage us on a primal level, a reminder of the enduring human quest for order and meaning. This table with drawers has been passed down through history in a non-linear, cyclical progression, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.