Buffetkast after 1878

This print of a ‘Buffet Henri II’ is from an anonymous maker and was published in Paris. The print captures a moment in design history, one that is infused with a distinct sense of class and cultural identity. The choice of the ‘Henri II’ style, popular during the 19th century, reflects a desire to reconnect with a perceived golden age of French artistry and craftsmanship. It suggests a yearning for a certain kind of stability and order in a rapidly changing world. The buffet, with its solid construction and elaborate carvings, speaks to the values of a bourgeois society which prizes both functionality and aesthetic refinement. Consider the implications of owning such a piece of furniture. It’s about creating a sense of home, but it's also about performing a certain identity of taste, status, and cultural belonging. Even now, this image invites us to reflect on the ways in which design shapes our desires, and how those desires are interwoven with our social and historical narratives.