Kast met luik 1780 - 1807

This drawing of a cabinet, or ‘kast met luik,’ was created by Elias Strasser, likely near the end of the 18th century. It’s rendered with simple lines, yet provides all the information a cabinetmaker would need to construct the piece. The drawing reveals the importance of skilled labor in the 18th century. Cabinetmaking was a highly specialized craft, involving the selection and preparation of wood, precise joinery, and often intricate carving or veneering. This division of labor, typical of pre-industrial production, meant that many hands and skills contributed to the final product. The design also incorporates precious materials like ebony or ivory for decorative inlays, reflecting the owner's status and wealth. Strasser’s drawing provides us with a valuable glimpse into the culture of production during this transitional era, where craft traditions were beginning to intersect with emerging industrial practices. It reminds us that even seemingly simple objects are the result of complex social and economic relationships.