Art Institute of Chicago

Server

Designed by Lockwood de Forest (American, 1850–1932)

Date

c. 1880–90

Medium

Teak, ash or oak

Culture

New York City

Department

Arts of the Americas

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

During the Aesthetic movement of the late 19th century, American designers’ fascination with the exotic led them to explore the art of India. On a trip to that country in 1880–81, Lockwood de Forest became interested in traditional Indian wood carving and established his own wood and metal workshop in Ahmedabad, India, to promote the native craft revival. Back in New York, he incorporated panels and architectural elements carved in the workshop into the furniture and interiors he designed for the American upper classes. This serving table is typical of de Forest’s work in its application of moldings and panels carved in India onto a Western furniture form.

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