Secretary Cabinet c. 1735

Curator: Giles Grendey's "Secretary Cabinet," dating from about 1735 and residing here at the Art Institute of Chicago, is quite the spectacle in terms of craftsmanship and design. Editor: My first impression is of dramatic symbolism, from the red lacquer finish to the figures painted on each door. It evokes a very particular time and place. Curator: Absolutely. The cabinet's construction utilized wood with carving, reflecting the skills of English cabinet makers responding to fashionable tastes. The vibrant red japanning, a technique imitating Asian lacquer work, reveals both trade influences and evolving social aspirations of the 18th century. Think of the workshop labor needed for something of this scale! Editor: And consider those figures! Donning quasi-oriental garbs, these painted figures serve as potent symbols of trade with the East and the exotic allure it held. They're rendered somewhat generically but act as cultural shorthands that would have resonated with wealthy European clientele, sparking curiosity about the wider world. Curator: The cabinet's materiality signifies consumption and status. High quality woodwork decorated with this type of japanning was not intended for everyday use, of course. This was designed to impress, showcasing one’s access to global commodities. The very form and function imply literacy and leisurely activities like correspondence. Editor: It’s more than mere ostentation, though. The choice to depict Eastern figures—however vaguely—speaks to a deep psychological interest in “the other.” It asks us to reflect on the complex legacy of cross-cultural fascination. Also note the historical architecture images. Curator: You're right. We're essentially seeing global power dynamics visualized through carefully sourced wood, meticulous craft, and, frankly, appropriated imagery. Editor: In this encounter between form, function and cultural code, Grendey’s Secretary Cabinet functions as more than just a mere display piece—it serves as a mirror reflecting complex historical realities. Curator: Examining this piece has deepened my appreciation of Grendey's integration of style and social positioning. Editor: And for me, it highlights how objects carry encoded stories and invite us to examine our own present-day readings.