Ontwerp voor een juwelenkist 1874 - 1932

This is a design for a jewelry box, meticulously rendered by Mathieu Lauweriks as a pencil drawing. The drawing itself, with its carefully constructed perspective and geometric precision, speaks to the principles of the Arts and Crafts movement. Note the way Lauweriks focuses on the three-dimensional form, showing both its elevation and plan. The lines are crisp, giving a sense of how the maker will have to precisely cut, carve, and assemble. The intended materials – likely wood and perhaps metal for hinges or clasps – are not inherently precious, but the design elevates them. The rounded, almost floral form suggests a handmade quality, in contrast to mass-produced goods. Lauweriks, like many designers of his time, was interested in imbuing everyday objects with artistic value, an implicit critique of industrialization. The amount of labor involved in producing such an object reflects a commitment to craft as a source of social and aesthetic value. In fact, such drawings are testaments of how art manifests itself through craft.