Design for Hallway Writing Table No. 9

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

**Design for Hallway Writing No. 9** *By A.N. Davenport Co 1900–05* Step into the refined world of early 20th-century American home design with this catalog design from the esteemed A.N. Davenport Co a prominent Boston-based furniture manufacturer. Created around 1900–05, this blueprint for "Hallway Writing Table No 9" captures the's emphasis on functional yet elegant furnishings tailored for domestic spaces. Hallway tables like this were essential in middle- and upper-class homes, offering a compact spot for jotting notes, signing visitors' cards, or organizing mail in bustling entryways. As part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection—generously gifted by The Lake St. Louis Historical Society—this piece highlights the commercial artistry of the time. Furniture companies issued detailed numbered designs in catalogs, allowing customers to customize and order bespoke items. The medium of furniture design underscores the blend of craftsmanship and mass production emerging at the turn of the century, bridging Victorian opulence with emerging modern efficiency. Though research continues, it evokes the daily rituals of American life, inviting us to appreciate how everyday objects shaped social graces and household harmony.