Description
18th and early 19th century lady’s work tables were a delicate form of specialized furniture which were utilized as a sewing table, a writing table or frequently, a combination of the two. More importantly however, they were usually an exercise in conspicuous consumption. The fancier the piece and the more bells & whistles it had the more expensive it was - and the more expensive it was, the more important & powerful the owner must be!
To the cabinetmaker and the upholsterer, it was an opportunity to pull out all the stops. Costly and intricately arranged veneers, inlaid bandings, turned, reeded and sometimes carved mahogany or satinwood legs and beautifully sewn silk bags or “pouches” all combined to make these tables a unique, valuable and fascinating furniture form. Once again, leading American decorative arts scholar Patricia Kane and Bob Van Dyke with team up to lead participants in an up-close examination of the work tables in the Yale Furniture study collection. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn about this great furniture form and check out the whole Yale Furniture Study collection.
Sign up today. We are limiting this tour to 10 participants.
As an added bonus, after the presentation, CVSW Director Bob Van Dyke will lead an informal tour of American furniture on view in the Yale Art Gallery downtown. After lunch (on your own) we will meet in the Gallery lobby at 1:30 and check out more of Yale’s excellent collection.
Hope you can make it.
Tuition: $ 90.00 (most of the proceeds will be donated to the Yale Art Gallery’s American Decorative Arts Department)
8:45am: Meet at the Yale Furniture Study entrance, 900 West Campus Drive, West Haven, CT