Design for a Fancy Table, Louis Quatorze Style 1835 - 1900

This is Robert William Hume's "Design for a Fancy Table, Louis Quatorze Style." Note the acanthus leaves that adorn the table’s legs and apron. In ancient Greece, these leaves were first used to embellish the Corinthian columns and conveyed ideas of endurance and immortality. In the Renaissance, these leaves resurfaced in architectural and decorative arts, signaling a revival of classical ideals. But observe how the leaves appear here, during the Louis Quatorze era. They’re more elaborate and ornate, transformed into a symbol of opulence and grandeur, reflecting the tastes of the French court. One is reminded of Botticelli’s Venus, draped modestly as she steps out of her shell, a motif of chastity and a symbol of grace. But here, the sentiment has evolved, as the table evokes a sense of lavishness and wealth, where elegance and display are given new meaning through its scale. These motifs have a life of their own, reappearing in different times and places, adapting to new contexts. This table, thus, is not merely a design but a vessel of cultural memory, encapsulating a history of shifting values and aesthetic sensibilities.