Schets van tweedeurskast 1808 - 1875

This is Carl Wilhelm Marckwort's sketch of a two-door cabinet, rendered in pencil on paper. The drawing's simplicity is deceptive. Even in this rough form, the cabinet's design hints at the skilled labor required for its construction. We can imagine the careful selection and seasoning of wood, the precise joinery needed to create a sturdy frame, and the carving that would have embellished the doors and cornices. This sketch gives us an insight into the design process, where Marckwort could experiment with proportions and details before committing to the time-consuming and expensive work of actually building the piece. Consider the social context of such a cabinet. It was likely intended for a wealthy household, a symbol of status and refinement. While Marckwort’s sketch only hints at the labor involved in creating such a piece, it reminds us of the many hands that would have contributed to its realization. The sketch is not just a design, but a document of social relations made visible through the lens of craft and design.