Design and Sketch for "MahoganyWriting Table"
1900–05
Classification
furniture
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of The Lake St. Louis Historical Society
Accession Number
2000-69-275
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the world of early 20th-century American furniture design with this intriguing *Design and Sketch for "Mahogany Writing Table"* by the A.N. Davenport Co., created between 1900 and 1905. Produced by a prominent Massachusetts-based furniture manufacturer known for its high-quality craftsmanship, this drawing captures the blueprint for an elegant mahogany writing table—a staple of refined home offices and libraries during the Edwardian era. As a preparatory sketch, it offers a rare glimpse into the design process of the time, bridging artistic conception and industrial production. Mahogany, prized for its rich grain and durability, symbolized luxury and status in turn-of-the-century America, reflecting influences from Colonial Revival styles that evoked America's genteel past amid rapid industrialization. The A.N. Davenport Co. was renowned for such pieces, blending traditional joinery with emerging machine techniques to meet growing demand for sophisticated furnishings. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection, this artifact—generously gifted by The Lake St. Louis Historical Society—highlights the evolution of everyday luxury. Though research continues, this sketch invites us to appreciate the thoughtful artistry behind functional beauty, reminding visitors how a simple drawing could shape domestic life over a century ago.