Side cabinet c. 1850

This side cabinet was designed by Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, and its luxurious surfaces are made of walnut, other inlaid woods, metal, and glass. Pugin was a leading voice in the Gothic Revival, and he insisted on traditional methods of making. The cabinet’s construction involved numerous artisans, each contributing specialized skills. The joiner would have created the basic form of the cabinet and its doors. The marquetry worker carefully selected contrasting veneers to create intricate floral patterns. The metalworker would have forged the delicate foliate grills and other decorative elements. The glass was likely mouth-blown and cut. The cabinet thus embodies a collective effort, not unlike the medieval workshops that Pugin so admired. By insisting on handcrafted techniques, he sought to resist the division of labor and dehumanizing effects of industrial production. Ultimately, Pugin’s cabinet stands as a testament to the enduring value of skilled craftsmanship and the social ideals it can represent. It challenges us to consider the human stories embedded within the objects we surround ourselves with.