Upright secretary 1770 - 1785

Editor: This is a remarkable piece. It’s an Upright Secretary by Pierre I Roussel, dating from around 1770-1785. The materials, primarily wood with bronze elements, give it such a stately and rich feel. I am drawn to the contrast between the ornate decorations and the relatively simple shape. What can you tell me about this elaborate furniture? Curator: Well, look closely at how the Rococo style manifests here. Consider the incredible labour that went into creating this object. It wasn’t simply about artistic expression, but also about demonstrating wealth and control over resources and skilled workers. How does examining this object as a product of labor and social status shift our perception of its artistic value? Editor: I see what you mean. The craftsmanship is incredible; I had only been thinking about its surface appearance before. It shows me a different dimension in appreciating not just what it shows, but what it represents about 18th century France. The patterns of consumption too, are more clear. I see the secretary less as ‘art’ in a traditional sense and more of a statement of power. Curator: Exactly. Consider the sourcing of the wood itself and bronze. The act of procuring and transforming such raw materials into an object like this would require an entire network of production. What implications might the creation and use of such ornate furniture have had for the everyday lives of ordinary people during that era? Editor: I guess I hadn’t really thought about what went into the materials beyond aesthetics. Now I’m seeing how a seemingly simple piece of furniture connects to vast social and economic networks. Thanks. This perspective really changes how I will consider materials moving forward. Curator: Agreed, by focusing on the material and the social context we move away from just aesthetic admiration, to examining power, class and labor embedded in everyday objects.