Work Table
c. 1880
Medium
Rosewood, ivory, gilt bronze, brass, and pewter
Dimensions
72.4 × 68.6 × 40.7 cm (28 1/2 × 27 × 16 in.)
Classification
table
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
144991
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The innovative marquetry technique displayed on this work table, was patented in 1877 by Rosalie Duvinage, also called Veuve (Widow) Duvinage. She was the owner of Maison Giroux, a Paris firm that had produced a wide assortment of luxury goods for generations. In this mosaic technique, pieces of ivory were held fast within a matrix of engraved metal strips and different woods were inlaid to create complex patterns. Here the ivory ground is separated by a network of engraved brass and pewter that...