The cumbersome and ungainly, always a personal passion. The more I explore the decorative and fine arts, architecture, music, or fashion, the more drawn I am to the overwrought, the over-stated.
WHEN I worked, I would inwardly cringe as a client , most often a second tier designer, would pedantically explain to me “that less is more” ; code for “we haven’t the budget”.
In celebration of abundance, I present the following extravaganzas.
Sideboard 1854
Several years back, 2005-2007, the Getty Center, presented a show, “A Renaissance Cabinet Rediscovered”. They bent over backwards trying to claim the legitimacy of a piece that Getty purchased ages ago. His advisors claimed it was a fake, he went with his gut, and it is now believed to actually be 16th cent. with late 19th century additions.
French
ca. 1580, with late 19th. cent. additions
walnut, oak, paint, brass, iron, linen and silk liing
approx. 10 ‘x 6’x 2’
Getty Collection
I didn’t particularly care, I would have actually preferred the 19th century fake. I love how the Renaissance was interpreted in the mid to late part of the century.
French 19th century
Shown at Great exhibition 1851
The monumental sideboard, the darling of the social climbing nouveau riche, was often based upon designs inspired by the architect, sculptor, designer, Hugues Sambin of Dijon. The following are a few of his wildly inventive designs.
Images ca. 1572-73
I searched for pieces attributed by Sambin and came up rather short. I will explore in more depth. I predict I will enjoy the renderings more them the finished carvings if the following panel is any indication.
Figurative panel
French ca. 1560
V&A
Now on to what I truly love, mis-guided mis- interpretations of Renaissance propriety.
Sideboard
ca. 1855
Black walnut
Alexander Roux, 1813-1886
American, born France
approx. 49″x$9″x 24″
Brooklyn Museum
I’m particularly drawn to the hunt motif, the addition of a hare head of great interest to me.
Sideboard
ca. 1870
Gerrard Robinson
carved oak, mirror glass, and brass handles
Victoria & Albert
Another whimsical piece by Robinson, also in the V&A, a sideboard with the peculiar theme of Robinson Crusoe.
Sideboard
Carved oak, upper part pine with oak veneer
English, signed and dated 1857
Gerrard Robinson
This is apparently the first known piece by Robinson, with a quirky subject which he re-explores in a piece shown at the International Exhibition of ’62. I have to research that.
To conclude I present another sideboard. also of the More Is Better school of design. I first saw this piece in Philadelphia, soon after production. I am still ambivalent, but I still want it.
Casablanca Sideboard
Memphis 1980-85
Milan
wood, plastic laminate
Brooklyn Museum
Enjoy your weekend.
Babylon Baroque 