Gedecoreerd elandgewei c. 1869 - 1874

Curator: Here we have "Gedecoreerd elandgewei," or "Decorated Elk Antler," an engraving from between 1869 and 1874. Editor: It’s a fascinating print, the detail given to something that isn’t trying to conceal what it is. In fact, it enhances it, draws you into the shape, which feels almost like an ornate hand. Curator: Indeed. The Rijksmuseum holds this print. Given its existence within a collection of decorative arts, and the era of its production, we can consider it as a testament to the late 19th century's fascination with natural history and the ornamental uses of wildlife trophies. The very act of photographing and cataloging suggests an urge to classify, control, and consume nature through imagery. Editor: From a purely formal perspective, the linear qualities of the engraving are striking. Observe how the engraver meticulously renders the complex patterns adorning the antler, contrasting the smooth interior surface with the textured edge. The contrast is heightened in the ornate flourishes decorating its surface, juxtaposed against the simplicity of its untouched, natural form. Curator: Considering the potential audience for these prints, often affluent collectors or institutions, we also might contemplate its role in shaping and reinforcing a sense of social identity through the acquisition and display of rare or exotic natural artifacts. Editor: But also observe that balance – it gives the sense of fragility combined with monumental permanence. I see strength and vulnerability melded seamlessly. The stark presentation of this image allows one to discern subtle variations in tone that emphasize texture, transforming something functional into a feast for the eyes. Curator: So, it's clear the elk antler serves not merely as a relic of the natural world but as a cultural artifact loaded with the politics of its age, reflecting hierarchies and societal values surrounding taste and wealth. Editor: Precisely, and appreciating the careful selection of tone helps you to consider that wealth. You can see it right in that antler; but also how it exists as something more. Thank you, I may appreciate antlers now!