Writing table (part of a set) 1765 - 1775

This writing table was made by Joseph Baumhauer in France sometime in the mid-18th century as part of a set. This was a period when furniture became less of a functional object, and more of a statement about the owner’s place in society. Baumhauer’s table, with its gilded, ormolu mounts, inlaid floral marquetry, and cabriole legs is an example of the Rococo style, characterized by its extravagance. This style was popular among the French aristocracy and reflected their wealth, status, and sophisticated taste. The table would have served as a space where letters were drafted and personal accounts were kept. But the very act of writing itself became increasingly associated with social mobility during the Enlightenment. Writing empowered the middle classes in asserting their own claims and rights. By examining objects like this, historians piece together the socio-economic context that fostered the artistic production of its time.