Trompe de chasse "Dauphine" 1695 - 1705

Editor: So, here we have a "Trompe de chasse 'Dauphine'," a hunting horn crafted sometime between 1695 and 1705, likely in Paris. It’s this gleaming, circular form made of brass. I’m struck by its simplicity; the perfect circle almost feels modern. What do you see in this piece, particularly beyond just its function as an instrument? Curator: Its circularity absolutely dominates, doesn’t it? Think of the ring as a potent, primordial symbol – wholeness, eternity, a link to cyclical time and rituals. This instrument wouldn't have just signaled a successful hunt. It's tied to courtly life, status, and perhaps even acted as a tool of communication that was easily understandable, and with different sounds tied to emotions and activities. Do you see how its elegant design elevated hunting to almost a theatrical display? Editor: I hadn't thought about that performance aspect! The 'Dauphine' suggests royal connections. Did the imagery surrounding hunting have particular significance for the French aristocracy? Curator: Precisely. Hunting wasn't merely a sport; it was deeply intertwined with power. Imagine the hunt as a controlled space reflecting the king's mastery over his realm. The horn, therefore, becomes more than an instrument; it symbolizes dominance and the well-ordered state. This gleaming brass form then turns into a marker of identity and place within a cultural structure. What do you think this kind of object communicates to us now, beyond its original context? Editor: It speaks to the enduring power of symbols, even when their original context is somewhat lost to time. I mean, it looks lovely! It transcends its original use and just presents as this gorgeous art object. Thanks, that’s a different perspective for me to consider. Curator: Indeed, these echoes from the past allow us to consider what cultural objects mean in the moment and how symbols, no matter the function, change over time.