Koffie- en theetafel 1657 - 1898

This coffee and tea table was created by Arnoldus van Geffen sometime in the 18th century. It is wrought in silver, a precious material that speaks to luxury and status. Look at the craftsmanship involved. Silver is a relatively soft metal, but still requires considerable skill to shape and form. Notice the delicate, undulating rim of the tabletop, the elegant stem, and the gracefully curved legs. These details weren't stamped out by a machine; they were coaxed into being by a practiced hand. Consider the social context: the rise of coffee and tea culture in Europe, fueled by colonial trade and the exploitation of labor. This table isn't just a functional object, it's a stage for social rituals, a symbol of wealth, and a testament to the interconnectedness of global economies. It invites us to reflect on the labor and resources that underpin even the most refined objects. Recognizing the social and material dimensions challenges conventional definitions of fine art.