Epaulet van J.W. Kalkhoven, in 1830/32 Luitenant Kolonel 1800 - 1830

Sometime around 1830, an anonymous maker produced these epaulettes for Lieutenant Colonel J.W. Kalkhoven using textile and metal. Consider the incredible patience and dexterity required to make these adornments. The metallic thread, wrapped around each tassel, would have been a laborious task, undertaken by skilled hands. Epaulettes like these weren't just decorative; they were potent symbols of status and power. The weight of the embellishments spoke of the wearer’s rank and authority, literally and figuratively. The epaulettes speak volumes about the social context of the time. In an era defined by rigid hierarchies, such meticulous details reinforced class distinctions and military structure. The work involved in their production, likely undertaken by artisans, highlights the economic and social dynamics at play. Recognizing the artistry and labor embedded in objects like these challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, inviting us to consider the broader cultural significance of materials and making.