Foedraal behorend bij steek 1906 - 1930

Editor: This is "Foedraal behorend bij steek," or "Case belonging to a bicorne" from sometime between 1906 and 1930. It's an anonymous assemblage of metal. It gives a really somber and practical impression, but I am curious about the historical context and how it might relate to the bicorne it held. What strikes you most about this object? Curator: Well, seeing a mundane object elevated to museum status always prompts questions about what it represents beyond its immediate function. This metal case, intended to protect a bicorne, speaks volumes about the socio-political landscape of its time. A bicorne hat itself was a symbol of authority, primarily worn by military and diplomatic figures. Editor: So, by extension, protecting the hat meant protecting the authority? Curator: Exactly! The preservation of such an item underscores the emphasis on maintaining established hierarchies and power structures during that period. Moreover, the survival of such an object is dependent on socioeconomic circumstances and institutional collection practices, as most of this period disappears with daily use and obsolescence. I am interested in how it made its way to a museum collection. It raises several interesting avenues for exploration. Have you considered how even seemingly insignificant objects reflect larger cultural narratives? Editor: Not really, until now. I just saw a dirty box. Now, thinking about what it protects makes me consider not just the wearer but the culture. Curator: Precisely! Objects like these serve as tangible links to the past. They become silent witnesses to evolving social norms and shifting power dynamics. And in turn influence those who collect and observe these remnants of that world. Editor: It’s really amazing to think of a simple box carrying so much history within it! I see it differently already.