Gueridon met leeuwenkop 1772 - 1779

Jean Pelletier created this drawing of a Gueridon, or pedestal table, sometime in the 18th century. During this period, design was heavily influenced by classical antiquity and the tastes of wealthy patrons. Pelletier’s design reflects the social hierarchy of the time, catering to elite tastes with its ornate details, like the lion’s head. The lion, often associated with strength, royalty, and even divinity, was a familiar artistic trope in ancient Greece and Rome. By incorporating this symbol, Pelletier linked his design to notions of power and status. But, like all cultural symbols, the lion can be understood through different lenses. Its presence here is not just about aesthetics, but also the unspoken narratives of colonialism and exoticism that were very much part of Europe at this time. This image is not merely a design, it is an embodiment of a complex moment in history.