Scotland/ Pastimes of the upper class 1912 1912

Curator: Here we have "Scotland/ Pastimes of the Upper Class," a small, elegant book, just 8 by 13 centimeters, dating to 1912. It is held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The deep red leather immediately strikes me, such a regal and reserved color. It whispers of old money and enduring traditions. Curator: Indeed. The gold detailing around the edges and the embossed year point to a specific social context and the luxury of the upper classes in Scotland at the time. The very act of documenting their "pastimes" speaks to self-awareness. Editor: Right, the choice of imagery within, no doubt, reinforces established notions of leisure and power. I wonder about the specific symbols chosen to represent those pastimes. Curator: It's the materiality itself that interests me most. The quality of the leather, the precision of the embossing—these speak volumes about the means of production available to this social stratum. Editor: It is a fascinating glimpse into a world obsessed with appearances. Curator: Yes, and a reminder of how objects can embody social and economic hierarchies.