Laurel Wreath Drawer Pull 1805 - 1835

This Laurel Wreath Drawer Pull was created by Henry Kellam Hancock, though the exact date is unknown, and it now resides at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The wreath immediately strikes one as an object of formal beauty due to its circular form, classical reference, and radiant materiality. The wreath, traditionally a symbol of victory and honor, here presents a fascinating study in contrasts. Hancock uses the wreath's inherent symbolism of achievement and elevates its status through the use of gilding. This gilding not only enhances its visual appeal but also imbues it with a sense of timeless value, typical of the era's embrace of classical antiquity. Its circular structure, unbroken and continuous, reinforces ideas of eternity and perfection. Yet, the wreath is attached to a mundane drawer pull, challenging the wreath's fixed meaning. Consider how the use of gold plays into the aesthetic and cultural values of the time, reflecting aspirations of permanence and beauty. It’s an object where form and function meet, inviting continual appreciation and interpretation.