Rieten objecten uit de verzameling van Emil Riebeck, op de binnenplaats van het Kunstgewerbemuseum in Berlijn 1884

This photograph by Hermann Rückwardt captures Emil Riebeck's collection of woven objects, displayed in the Kunstgewerbemuseum in Berlin. These objects, primarily made of reed, showcase the inherent qualities of this material, its flexibility and strength. We see baskets, mats, and vessels, each form achieved through labor-intensive processes of weaving and plaiting. These techniques are deeply rooted in craft traditions, connecting to a history of creative practices that often exist outside the realm of fine arts. The very act of collecting and displaying these objects elevates them, prompting us to consider their social and cultural significance. What was the nature of the labor involved in producing them? How were they perceived and used within their original contexts? By focusing on materials, making, and context, we begin to challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, inviting a richer understanding of the objects before us.