Design for Serving Table with "S"-shaped Drawer Pulls

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

This design drawing for a serving table, created by the A.N. Davenport Co. around 1900–1905, offers a glimpse into early 20th-century American furniture design. The Boston-based firm was renowned for producing high-quality furnishings, blending functionality with elegant detailing. Here, the standout feature is the distinctive "S"-shaped drawer pulls, which suggest a nod to organic, flowing forms popular in the transitional period between Victorian opulence and emerging Arts and Crafts simplicity. As a blueprint rather than a finished piece, it highlights the meticulous planning behind custom furniture of the era. Serving tables were essential in dining rooms, used for displaying silverware or staging meals, reflecting the domestic ideals of the Gilded Age's end. The "S" pulls add a whimsical yet practical touch, likely crafted in metal to complement wood construction, emphasizing both utility and subtle ornamentation. Generously gifted by The Lake St. Louis Historical Society, this artifact resides in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection (research ongoing). It invites us to appreciate how everyday objects embodied craftsmanship and cultural shifts at the dawn of a new century.