Table Designs, from 'Nouveaux Liure d'Orfevrerie'

Daniel Marot was born and raised in France, but in 1685 he left his native country and settled in The Hague (The Netherlands). He received various commissions of high stature from Stadhouder Willem, Prince of Orange, who would soon become King William III of England in 1689. From the late 17th century onwards, Marot also etched and published many designs for architecture and interior decorations. His printed works were very influential throughout Europe, not in the least because he knew exactly how to use the possibilities offered by the print medium to his best advantage. In this small print, from the series Nouveaux Liure d’Orfevrerie’ (New Book of Silversmith’s Work) he presents an array of options for the design of a (silver) table. In the two depicted examples he has incorporated four different designs for table legs. They are connected by a stretcher which he has decorated with a sculpted cherub in the top design, while in the bottom model he suggested marquetry. By turning the lower table top towards the viewer, he shows its inlaid decorations, which are, in turn, also characterized by variations in the ornamental details. As a bonus, he included eight designs for decorative masks, which could be incorporated throughout the design of a table, most notably in the center right below the table top.