Design for Four-Door Sideboard in Elevation and Plan

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

This elegant *Design for Four-Door Sideboard in Elevation and Plan by the A.N. Davenport Co., from 1900–05, offers a fascinating glimpse into early 20th-century American furniture design. Presented in both front elevation (side view) and plan ( view), it blueprints a substantial sideboard with four doors—likely intended for dining rooms to store silverware, linens, and dishes. Such technical drawings were essential tools for furniture manufacturers, ensuring precise craftsmanship before production. Created during America's Gilded Age transition to the Progressive Era, this piece reflects the era's emphasis on functional yet ornate home furnishings. A.N. Davenport Co., a prominent firm, specialized in high-quality woodwork, capturing the period's blend of practicality and aesthetic appeal in domestic architecture. Sideboards like this symbolized hospitality and status, gracing middle- and upper-class homes. Now part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection—thanks to a gift from The Lake St. Louis Historical Society—this design underscores the ingenuity of American industrial design. With research ongoing, it invites visitors to ponder the artisans who brought such visions to life, bridging blueprint to heirloom.