Design for a Cabinet with Glass Side Doors and Porcelain Plaques 1800 - 1900

This is an anonymous design for a cabinet with glass side doors and porcelain plaques, made with graphite on blue paper. The symmetry and the classical motifs suggest a world of order, perhaps reflecting the aspirations of its intended owner to display their status and taste. The use of porcelain hints at global trade, evoking a sense of exoticism and luxury. The glass doors, which would allow a view of treasured objects, speaks volumes about display, domesticity and desire. But what about the artist? This drawing leaves us to ponder about authorship, labor, and the many unnamed hands that contributed to the world of decorative arts. It serves as a reminder that every object has a story, with often-unacknowledged voices woven into its creation.