Table (poudreuse) 18th century

Germain Landrin created this table, or "poudreuse," to function as a dressing table; an intimate object that speaks volumes about 18th-century aristocratic life. In a society defined by rigid class structures and elaborate social rituals, objects like this poudreuse played a crucial role in constructing identity. The table is not merely a functional object but a stage upon which one performs gender, class, and status. Think about the daily rituals of applying makeup and styling hair – acts of transformation that were central to maintaining one's position in society. The heart-shaped lock suggests the intimacy associated with the act of beautification and the secrets it holds. This table represents both the opulence and the constraints of its time. It reflects a world where appearances were paramount, and personal identity was carefully crafted and maintained through material possessions.