-Double Oval- table c. 1910

Editor: We’re looking at the Double Oval Table by Charles Limbert, created around 1910. It's a wooden sculpture, technically furniture, now housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I am immediately struck by how solid and grounded it feels. How would you describe this piece? Curator: You know, when I look at this table, I feel transported back to a cozy, turn-of-the-century bungalow, all earth tones and honest craftsmanship. It embodies that whole Arts and Crafts ethos—rejecting mass production in favor of handcrafted beauty, and in many cases finding its beauty within utility and practicality. Do you see how the lines are so clean and the joinery is almost celebrated? Editor: Definitely! It's not trying to hide how it's made. And the little square cut-outs in the shelf are so simple, yet add a unique geometric design. Curator: Exactly! It's that quiet rebellion against the frilly, ornate Victorian styles. Limbert, with his Dutch roots, brought a sense of straightforward functionality. What do you think the double oval brings to the table...figuratively speaking, of course. Editor: Good one! The oval shape makes it feel less rigid, and the second level offers extra storage without feeling bulky. Curator: Precisely. It’s both practical and pleasing to the eye. This wasn’t just about function. It’s about elevating everyday objects into works of art, and this table, well, it does exactly that. Editor: I'll definitely see these simpler forms in a new light from now on! Thanks for sharing your perspective. Curator: My pleasure! Sometimes, the greatest beauty lies in the simplest things. It makes you wonder about all those stories it could tell, standing there, through the decades.