Twee handdoekrollen en drie haardijzers 1658

This engraving, titled "Two towel rails and three curling irons" was made by an anonymous artist. This image probably comes from an instruction manual, a pattern book, or perhaps even an advertisement. It's fascinating to think about the hands that would have used these items. For instance, how many hours were put into heating the metal of the curling irons? The ritual of grooming and adornment has always been intertwined with identity, signaling social status, gender roles, and cultural belonging. This wasn't just about personal care, it was about performing a certain version of femininity expected by society. The towel rails, embellished with classical motifs, featuring cherubs and a female figure, suggest a domestic space aspiring to sophistication and luxury. But who had access to such refinements? The objects may seem simple, but they speak to a world of social stratification, where beauty and comfort were privileges. The artist offers us not just an image of objects, but a glimpse into the complex dynamics of identity, gender, and class in a bygone era.