Model of a Capstan c. 1848 - 1850

Editor: Here we have a "Model of a Capstan" from around 1848 to 1850, crafted from wood and metal by Rijkswerf Vlissingen. I find it remarkable how something so utilitarian can also possess an inherent elegance in its construction. What catches your eye when you look at this piece? Curator: I see a distillation of labor. Consider the Rijkswerf Vlissingen, a Dutch shipyard. This model isn't just a representation; it's a physical manifestation of industrial processes. Each piece of wood and metal, chosen and crafted, speaks to the division of labor, resource extraction, and the social organization necessary for 19th-century shipbuilding. The interplay of materials highlights the transition from sail to steam. What kind of labor do you imagine was required to create a functional capstan like this? Editor: I hadn't really considered the labour process involved. A lot of careful work in different materials I guess. So, the choice of materials, then, isn't arbitrary? The metal perhaps representing progress and strength? Curator: Exactly. And wood, of course, recalling the older traditions of shipbuilding even as metal asserted itself. Think of the cost involved in its making – who was able to afford to display this, or other fine instruments from the time period, and why? These models themselves could function as display objects, emblems of a society’s wealth derived directly from material production and overseas trade, masking at the same time some of its hidden dark sides. Editor: That's a very insightful point. I suppose I hadn't considered it within its full social context. Curator: Considering these aspects helps us to unpack a much wider set of considerations about craft and high art. What did you find most engaging in considering its materiality and creation process? Editor: Reflecting on the production process really brings the object to life, helping to understand not just its function, but also the values and priorities of the time. Curator: And for me, understanding its materiality, both literal and historical, grounds our interpretations in something more concrete and tangible.