Side table (one of a pair) 1735 - 1745

Editor: So, this is a side table, one of a pair actually, crafted by Matthias Lock sometime between 1735 and 1745. It's made of carved wood. The amount of detail is stunning, the eye travels everywhere! I am particularly drawn to the symmetrical balance. How do you approach a piece like this? Curator: This side table presents a compelling example of Baroque and Rococo design elements converging to create a highly ornamented structure. Note how the eye is constantly guided through a series of elaborate, undulating forms, evident in the scrolling foliage and shell motifs. Editor: Yes, there’s definitely a visual rhythm at play. The gold leaf enhances the effect. What is its contribution, would you say? Curator: Indeed. The gilding amplifies the textural qualities of the carved wood and emphasizes the interplay of light and shadow across the surface, wouldn’t you agree? Notice, for instance, how the gold highlights the sculptural forms of the lion heads and paw feet. The veined marble top adds a contrasting, grounding element to the exuberant base. Editor: I hadn't considered the marble top’s role as a grounding agent, that’s a nice observation. The contrast provides relief. But isn’t all of this surface ornamentation detracting from functionality? Curator: Perhaps. However, it would be shortsighted to ignore its symbolic weight. Can’t you sense its reflection of wealth and status from a bygone era, through the use of extravagant materials? Lock employs semiotic communication to create a statement piece, prioritizing aesthetic grandeur over utilitarian function. Editor: So it's about communicating prestige through ornamentation, then? It's fascinating to consider how these elements all converge to make a statement. Curator: Precisely. And by focusing on these inherent visual and material qualities, we gain insight into the table’s complex structural language and Lock’s design choices. Editor: Thank you. Looking at it this way sheds a different light on how art embodies its meaning through form. Curator: My pleasure. Hopefully, now, you can view similar artworks from a different perspective.