Etui van goud met zes geëmailleerde taferelen, respectievelijk met bloemen- en groenverkoopsters, kinderen en twee stillevens c. 1759 - 1760

This golden etui, adorned with six enameled scenes, was crafted by Mathieu Coiny. These scenes offer us a glimpse into the socio-economic structures of the past. The presence of flower and vegetable sellers points to the labor of women, often marginalized and relegated to the informal sector. In a patriarchal society where economic opportunities were limited for women, selling flowers and vegetables provided a precarious means of survival. The images of children also draw our attention to the dynamics of labor and childhood, especially within lower socio-economic classes. Were these children working to support their families? What opportunities did they have for education or leisure? Even the still lifes, seemingly simple, reflect the values and aesthetics of the time, subtly reinforcing societal norms around wealth and status. Through these delicate scenes, the etui becomes a poignant artifact, one that reflects not just artistic skill, but also the realities of gender, class, and labor in a specific historical moment.