Vierkante stapeldoos, zwarte lak met strooibloemen in goud-makie 1700 - 1800

Editor: Here we have a striking object: an anonymous, late Edo period stackable box made of lacquered wood, embellished with delicate gold makie. I’m immediately struck by how such a functional item transforms into something precious through artistry. How does its historical context shape our understanding? Curator: It's fascinating to consider how such objects, seemingly domestic, carried immense social weight. The Edo period was a rigidly hierarchical society. Who do you think owned or used something so refined? Editor: Perhaps someone of status, maybe a merchant displaying wealth or a member of the samurai class for ceremonial use? The gold detailing suggests that it might have been part of some official ritual, doesn’t it? Curator: Exactly! These objects were rarely accessible to the common populace. Consider also the symbolism – flowers in Asian art traditionally embody notions of virtue, elegance, but also ephemeral nature. What is fascinating to see is that the merchant class growing in influence, this decorative object became a statement piece, a potent symbol of power and social aspirations through decorative luxury. The box became an instrument to convey social standing and political connections within restrictive parameters imposed on social expression. Editor: I hadn’t thought about the way an object could become almost… rebellious through beauty. That's a very nuanced point to the social climate. So, an object itself has social agency! I’ll remember that when thinking about artwork moving forward. Thanks. Curator: Precisely! Observing how artistic expressions, subtly interwoven into seemingly mundane articles, reflect and, at times, subtly challenge societal norms. It allows us to deepen how the confluence of art and societal forces creates meaning.