Center Table 1852

This Center Table was made by Walter Bryent sometime between 1807 and 1870, the years of his birth and death. While it is hard to define the exact date of the piece, what is clear is that luxury goods like these often obscured the labor and materials that were extracted to produce them. A marble top, supported by intricately carved wood, speaks to the complex dynamics of artistry, labour and wealth during this period. Pieces like this would have been made for elite white families. These status symbols would often be prominently displayed, creating an emotional experience for both those who owned them and those who made them. While the table might seem like a simple furnishing, it provokes questions about who was afforded comfort and who was not. It’s a reminder of the many hands and histories that shape our material world.