Box for Small Jewelry c. 1941

Carl Buergerniss made this drawing of a box for small jewelry. It gives us a glimpse into the cultural values of early 20th-century Germany. The box, with its ornate metalwork, and what looks like tortoiseshell veneer evokes a sense of luxury and refinement. The box itself becomes a symbol of status, reflecting a society that valued craftsmanship and material possessions. It’s a drawing of an object, but also a document of institutional history. Was this artist working within the German applied arts and design schools? It shows an interest in making art useful, and in elevating design to the level of fine art. It might be seen to reflect the influence of the Deutscher Werkbund, which sought to unite art with industry. To fully understand this drawing, one would want to delve into archival resources related to Buergerniss and the broader cultural context. By exploring these avenues, we can better understand the social and institutional forces that shaped the artist’s work.