Baroque bling

It was interesting to read about the joint purchase by the National Museums of Scotland and the Victoria & Albert of the two Italian baroque tables at a cost of £735,900 (your report, 19 June).

While I am very happy that such important historic artefacts have been saved for the nation, I would personally much prefer an Ikea version in my dining room to these examples of over-elaborate 17th-century “bling”.

The point, though, is that in these times of austerity we seem to be constantly nagged about our conspicuous consumption and urged to simplify our lifestyles.

It’s salutary to remember that the main difference between our age and the past is that material goods have become available to a somewhat wider range of people that they were in the 17th century.

Now the problem is not so much an obsession with “stuff” but its distribution, and the effect of its overproduction on the world’s ecology and environment.

Earlier centuries could avoid this because of the relatively few people who could afford luxury items.

Now at least we are aware of the challenges material consumption presents and companies like Ikea have a good record in ethical production.

With all the media obsession with economic Armageddon, it’s sometimes helpful to remind ourselves that there was never a golden age of material restraint.

(Dr) Mary Brown

Dalvenie Road

Banchory