Daybed (lit de repos) 1790 - 1808

François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter created this Daybed, or “lit de repos,” in the late 18th or early 19th century. It is currently located in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Imagine reclining on this daybed during the French Directoire and Empire periods, a time of revolution and shifting social structures. This piece embodies the era’s fascination with classical antiquity, visible in the sphinx figures and the overall Neoclassical design. But who was really invited to rest here? These daybeds were status symbols, emblems of wealth and leisure, reflecting a society deeply divided by class. The elite would have used them for socialising, reading, or perhaps even strategizing about how to maintain power in a world undergoing radical change. The smooth lines and ornate details create a sense of luxurious detachment, almost as though the occupant is elevated above the concerns of everyday life. It's a fascinating reminder of how objects can embody both aesthetic beauty and complex social dynamics.