Box 1783 - 1784

This small, gilded box was crafted by Barthélemy Cabaille in the late 1700s. It is made entirely of gold, which even at this scale, gives it a palpable sense of value. The box’s surface is adorned with concentric circles of raised dots, creating a rhythmic texture. The lid features a central medallion with delicate floral engravings. This level of detail would have required specialized tools and a steady hand. These skills were the domain of highly trained goldsmiths, suggesting that the box was made for a wealthy clientele. Consider the intense labor involved in extracting, refining, and shaping the gold. Such precious objects spoke to the growing global trade and the rise of consumer culture. The box encapsulates the intersection of luxury, skilled labor, and the burgeoning capitalist economy of the late 18th century. When we consider these factors, we see how the material and making of this box are intertwined with the social and economic context of its time.