Table c. 1937

Dorothy Carpenter Thorpe created this “Table” out of glass and metal. You can see the careful consideration of materials in the way the cool, smooth glass contrasts with the warm, reflective metal. There’s something so intriguing about the surface, isn’t there? The way the light plays off the metal, creating subtle variations in tone, it's like a dance of light and form. The columns of metal are so solid and grounded, yet the glass surface is so light and airy, like it could float away at any moment. Notice the ribbed effect, this is a detail that draws the eye in. It emphasizes the verticality of the legs but it also has this sense of repetition, or rhythm. This piece reminds me of Bauhaus design principles, where form follows function, but also, the overall effect is really gorgeous.