Pair of consoles 1545 - 1565

Curator: Here we have a pair of wooden consoles, believed to be crafted between 1545 and 1565, and attributed to Jacques Androuet Du Cerceau. They’re a beautiful example of Renaissance mannerist style. Editor: Striking. The grain of the wood really draws the eye to the details in the carving. They seem almost weightless despite the density of the material. Curator: Indeed. Console tables such as these were very popular amongst the wealthy. As functional pieces, they became signifiers of prestige within the household. Placement within a home, usually underneath a mirror or supporting an elaborate display, became opportunities to exhibit power. Editor: Let’s consider this wood itself; oak, perhaps? The time and skill needed to carve those intricate figures—the winged human form supporting what appears to be some type of acanthus scroll…it speaks volumes about labor and specialized craftsmanship. Curator: Absolutely. These consoles exemplify the refined artistry appreciated by aristocratic patrons of the time. It wasn’t just about function, it was about embodying classical ideals and flaunting the financial resources required to obtain them. Imagine these once painted, perhaps gilded, standing as sentinels within a grand hall. Editor: The question for me then becomes, what were the means through which they accessed it, who taught it and who got left out. Curator: It’s interesting to consider these pieces within the larger decorative programs of Renaissance interiors, revealing much about display, court culture, and aspirations of nobility at that time. The fashion would soon change with the rise of new royalty who often purchased their status rather than inherited it. Editor: They do capture something special. I like them a great deal for all that labor on display. Curator: They speak volumes of a culture obsessed with opulence, order and classical forms, reminding us how taste can act as a historical marker. Editor: For me it’s all that time someone spent carefully with these details—that is what truly resonates and echoes forward.