Cigar Cabinet c. 1867

The Cigar Cabinet stands here as a monument to late 19th-century European craftsmanship. It was crafted by Charles-Guillaume Diehl, a cabinetmaker catering to the wealthy during an era defined by burgeoning industrialization and colonial expansion. This cabinet embodies an intersection of class, gender, and colonial narratives. The dark patinated bronze contrasting with the light wood, creates a masculine aesthetic indicative of the patriarchal values of the time. Cigar smoking itself was a ritual deeply embedded in male social circles, symbolizing power, leisure, and affluence. The imagery chosen for its adornment hints at the era's obsession with exoticism, a result of colonial encounters. These depictions, viewed through a contemporary lens, provoke questions about cultural appropriation and the power dynamics inherent in representing colonized cultures. This cabinet, beyond its functional purpose, serves as a complex artifact. It embodies how historical objects encapsulate the values, biases, and power structures of their time, inviting critical reflection on our shared past.