Jewellery casket c. 1842 - 1848

This jewellery casket was created by Jean-Valentin Morel, a French goldsmith, sometime in the mid-19th century. It’s made of silver, weighs over a kilogram, and is adorned with classical figures and motifs. During this period, class distinctions were sharply defined, and luxury items like this casket were potent symbols of status and wealth. Notice the figures around the casket’s perimeter. They are rendered in classical style, evoking an era of mythological narratives. On the casket's lid, a woman is seated with two children, possibly symbolizing motherhood or familial virtue. Consider how such representations reinforced the period's idealized roles for women. At the same time, imagine the experience of those excluded from this narrative, those whose stories were not deemed worthy of such elaborate celebration. This jewellery casket, while beautiful, reflects and reinforces the societal values of its time.