Toilet box with cover 19th century

This toilet box with a cover, currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was crafted by Johann Ludwig Biller. Gaze upon the intricate gold work. Each facet of this ornamental box reflects the meticulous craftsmanship and the aesthetic ideals of its time. The octagonal shape, a departure from simpler forms, is divided between its bowl and cover. Note the raised foliate knob on the cover. The box’s surface is alive with detailed engraved patterns that catch and play with light. The choice of gold elevates this functional object into a symbol of wealth and status, reflecting the Baroque fascination with opulence and detailed ornamentation. The symmetry and geometry indicate how the design operates through the structuralist principles of balance and order. Consider the object’s interplay between form and function; it transcends its practical purpose to become a cultural artifact.