Visitekaartje aan Philip Zilcken 1854 - 1910

This ‘Visitekaartje aan Philip Zilcken’ was made by Willem Maris, using paper and graphite. A calling card like this one was an essential tool for navigating social circles. The graphite, likely ground from a larger lump and mixed with a binder, would have been carefully applied to the paper’s surface. The very act of writing signals a certain level of education and refinement, the cursive script itself a performance of social grace. These cards were literally handled, carried in pockets and purses. The wear and tear they accumulated spoke to the lives of their owners, and their networks of acquaintance. Such small things are a reminder that even the most seemingly insignificant object can be a potent carrier of meaning, reflecting social status. When we consider this card, we are invited to think about the ways in which craft, design, and social life are intertwined.