Covered box c. 1925

This covered box was made by Roundhead and now lives at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It’s hard to put a date on it, but that’s okay! The metal work has been hammered to create a beautiful overall texture, like a field of tiny craters. When you look closer, you see the hammered indentations are deliberately placed in a regular pattern, which is an incredible feat of patience. The box is geometric, with sharp angles and triangles, which contrasts with the organic texture of the hammered metal. The light plays across the surface, making some areas appear brighter and others darker, giving the box depth and dimension. Notice how the artist contrasts the smooth, clean lines of the box's edges with the rough texture of the hammered surfaces. This approach reminds me of Bauhaus design, which sought to integrate art and craft with industrial techniques. It is a powerful reminder that art can be found in the most unexpected places, in the simplest of forms.