Table 1836 - 1846

This table, crafted from rosewood and marble, was made by J. & J.W. Meeks, a firm known for its opulent furnishings during the mid-19th century. The company's success reflects the era's booming economy, which was largely built on enslaved labor. Furnishings like these, with their elaborate carvings and expensive materials, were not just functional; they were potent symbols of status and power. Consider how such displays of wealth were intertwined with the social and racial hierarchies of the time. Who had access to such luxury, and whose labor made it possible? The table serves as a tangible reminder of the complex relationship between aesthetics, economics, and social justice. It invites us to reflect on the stories behind the objects we encounter.