Reimagining Eighteenth-Century France: An Examination of a Secrétaire by Martin Carlin

Abstract

In the 18th century, a large number of new furniture forms appeared in France. Furniture is inseparable from people’s lives. It forms a part of people’s property, projects their identity, and marks people’s real or imagined social status. This article uses a secrétaire made in 1776 by Martin Carlon as a case study to explore the historical reasons and social symbolism behind the flourishing of this French furniture form in the 18th century. By analyzing the source of raw materials, functional design, and meaning of this secrétaire, this article concludes that the French colonial history, the nobility’s fascination with Oriental art, and the emergence of innovative technology all contributed significantly to the advancement of furniture. In addition, the secrétaire, as a writing instrument, symbolized gender and class and later evolved into a symbol of female literacy, taste, and social status. The case of Marie-Josephine Laguerre, the first owner of this secrétaire, reflects this intersection between furniture, gender, and social class.