Reading Comprehension 5

1. I think that the Sideboard table (Harwood p. 503) is a good representation of revolution in design. The skinny tapered legs were a new design used to show wealth. They allowed for a lot of things to be placed on top, looking heavy because of the skinny, weak looking legs. This made an optical illusion to look like there was more weight on top, therefore giving the appearance of more wealth showcased.

2.

http://www.spencermarks.com/html/k514.html

ARTIFACT: This teapot was designed for the governor of Maryland in 1934. It is covered in chinoiserie foliate design that makes the teapot stand out from typical western artifacts. The pot is made by repousse which is a style used with metal where a design is hammered from the reverse side. The pattern includes several motifs that are represented in Chinese art, such as: landscape designs, various pagoda structures, boats, floral designs, and figural swan finials.

http://atlasobscura.com/place/the-royal-pavilion

SPACE: The Banqueting Room at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, England has a very Indian inspired style with chinoiserie interiors. The Banqueting Room is extremely busy looking and seems like all different styles are shoved into one room.

http://testnews.camera-images.co.uk/locations/Nature/Gardens/History_Kew_Gardens.htm

BUILDING: The pagoda at Kew Gardens is 10 stories high and each level is octagonal shaped. When it was built, the pagoda had a roof that had a dragon perched at each corner. Dragons are common in Asian design, being a symbol of power, strength, success, luck and honor. The pagoda was also originally very colorful.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Crystal_Palace_interior.jpg

PLACE: In 1851, the first World’s Fair took place at the Crystal Palace in London. It was the first international exhibition of manufactured products.