Busk c. 1800

This carved boxwood busk, of unknown date and maker, presents a compelling look at the intersection of utility, adornment, and personal expression. Busks were rigid elements inserted into the front of corsets to provide shape and support, but they also became canvases for carving love tokens. This particular busk is adorned with geometric patterns and stylized florals. Its very existence speaks to gendered roles and expectations, and the intimate relationship between clothing and identity. What does it mean to have the female form literally structured by an object, but that object is imbued with messages of love? While we may not know the specific stories this busk holds, it invites us to reflect on the tangible ways love and desire have been woven into the fabric of everyday life. It is also a powerful reminder of the countless untold narratives embedded in objects from the past.