Ronde hoedendoos van karton beplakt met grijs papier c. 1960

This round hat box, made of cardboard and covered in grey paper, was crafted by La Femme Chic in Amsterdam. What strikes me first is the colour palette. A study in greys, it’s almost a monochromatic affair, yet there’s a subtle dance of shades that keeps it from being dull. Think of it – grey is often overlooked, but here, it's elevated. There's a certain elegance in the simplicity of its form, the way the paper is so smoothly affixed to the cardboard. It’s a utilitarian object, yet there’s a clear attention to detail in its production. The thin cord handle, the label running round the edge of the lid – these details transform a humble object into something special. It reminds me of some of Giorgio Morandi’s still life paintings, or even Agnes Martin's minimalist canvases. In their own way, they elevate the everyday, asking us to look closer, to find beauty in the most unexpected places. What a cool thing.