Spiegel en tafels c. 1710 - 1720

André Charles Boulle created this engraving, "Mirrors and Tables," showcasing designs laden with symbolic weight. The recurring motif of human faces, or masks, adorning these furnishings, reminds us of the ancient Greek theatrical masks, symbols of transformation and the embodiment of different characters or personas. These faces, embedded in the very structure of domestic life, speak to a deeply ingrained human desire to animate our surroundings, projecting our own psychological states onto the objects we inhabit. Consider how the mask, originally a tool for ritual and performance, evolves here into a mere decorative element, yet still carrying echoes of its primal power. It resurfaces throughout history, from the grotesque masks of medieval gargoyles to the stylized visages of Renaissance portraiture. This echoes our collective memory, a subconscious recognition of symbols that continue to exert their influence, shaping our understanding of art, culture, and the very essence of what it means to be human.