Dienstbodenmutsje van tulen gaas, bestaande uit plat ovaal middenstuk omgeven door een driedubbele, gerimpelde rand c. 1910 - 1920

This is a maid's cap made of tulle gauze, its creator remaining anonymous. The immediate visual experience is dominated by the interplay of texture and form. A flat, oval center is closely embraced by a triple-layered, ruffled edge. The ruffles, meticulously crimped, create a dynamic surface that contrasts with the relative simplicity of the central plane. The gauze material introduces a play of light and shadow, lending depth to the otherwise pale, almost ethereal object. Consider the cultural codes embedded in this object. As a signifier of domestic labor, the cap invites reflection on the historical and societal structures that define work and class. The very act of anonymizing the maker points to broader power dynamics within those structures. The cap's form and materiality function within a cultural discourse, reflecting ideas about identity, labor, and representation. The absence of a known artist further emphasizes the themes of anonymity and the often-overlooked contributions of those in service. This small object engages us with larger questions about value and recognition.