Design for Round Table "B" on Scroll-Like Feet

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

Step into the elegant world of early 20th-century American furniture design with *Design for Round Table "" on Scroll-Like* by A.N. Davenport., created between 1900 and 1905. This intriguing piece, housed in the Smithsonian American Art's Smithsonian Collection, captures a moment when U.S. manufacturers like Davenport were blending tradition with emerging industrial precision. The title evokes a graceful round table poised on ornate, scroll-like feet—curving motifs inspired by classical European furniture, adding a sense of fluidity and sophistication to domestic spaces. As a furniture design rather than a finished object, it highlights the creative process behind the era's booming furniture trade. Scroll feet, reminiscent of 18th-century styles, suggest Davenport's nod to historical revivalism during America's Gilded Age transition, when homes aspired to refined grandeur. Though the medium remains unknown amid ongoing research, such designs were vital blueprints for workshops producing high-quality pieces for affluent clients. Generously gifted by The Lake St. Louis Historical Society, this work underscores the Smithsonian's commitment to preserving everyday artistry. It invites us to ponder how simple tables anchored family life, bridging craftsmanship and culture in a rapidly modernizing nation. (198 words)