Side table 1867 - 1877

This side table was made by Edward William Godwin in the late 19th century and is now held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Notice how Godwin has created an elegant structure through a precise arrangement of wooden planes and slender brass supports. The table presents a study in geometric forms – the rectangular frame, the circular tabletops, and the subtle angles of its bracing. Godwin's approach emphasizes functionality, but it's also a conscious aesthetic statement. The linear design and exposed construction reflect the influence of the Aesthetic Movement and Japanese design principles that advocated simplicity and honesty in materials. The arrangement creates a sense of lightness, but it is grounded with strong vertical lines and balanced asymmetry. Godwin transforms a commonplace object into a study of space and form, questioning the ornamental excesses that were typical of Victorian furniture. This piece invites us to reconsider the relationship between art, utility, and cultural values.