Bookcase and Writing Desk c. 1936

Here is a design for a bookcase and writing desk, drawn by Henry Meyers. We see it rendered in watercolor, but the original object was intended to be made of wood and glass. Notice how the desk is structured in two parts. The upper bookcase section, with its diamond-patterned glass doors, sits atop the lower writing desk, which features decorative columns and carved ball-and-claw feet. The design suggests a piece made with a combination of handcraft and industrial techniques. While the overall form might have been achieved through machine production, the details suggest the touch of a skilled woodworker. This combination of processes was typical of furniture production at the turn of the century, when designers sought to balance efficiency with the individuality associated with handcrafted objects. By considering the methods and materials envisioned for this bookcase, we can better appreciate its intended place in a world that was rapidly industrializing, and where fine craftsmanship was still highly valued.