Design for Round Table "C"

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

### Design for Round TableC" Created by the A.N. Davenport Co. 1900 and 1905, this design drawing for a round table exemplifies early 20th-century American furniture innovation. As a prominent Boston-based manufacturer, Davenport specialized in high-quality furnishings that blended functionality with elegant form, catering to the growing middle-class demand for stylish home interiors during the Progressive Era. The round table format, practical for social gatherings, reflects the era's emphasis on communal and hospitality in American households. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Smithsonian Collection, this piece is classified as furniture and was generously gifted by The Lake St. Louis Historical Society. Though research is ongoing, it offers a window into the design process of the time—likely involving detailed sketches that guided skilled craftsmen in wood selection, joinery, and finishes. Such designs highlight the transition from Victorian opulence to simpler, more modern aesthetics influenced by emerging movements like Arts and Crafts. Visitors will appreciate how this modest yet essential artifact captures the craftsmanship and cultural values of turn-of-the-century America, where furniture was both a daily necessity and a statement of refined living. (198 words)