Waaierdoos c. 1890

This delicately crafted fan box, of unknown origin, speaks volumes despite its simple form. The box itself, a container, represents more than mere storage. It embodies the safekeeping of secrets, whispers of untold stories, and the intimate connection to the object it protects: a fan, traditionally a symbol of status, coquetry, and subtle communication. This reminds me of the reliquaries of the Middle Ages, where saints' remains or personal objects were safeguarded. Like the fan box, they preserved and elevated the significance of the relic within. Consider how the act of opening such a box mirrors the unveiling of hidden thoughts or emotions. This act can be traced back through history, re-emerging time and again, each instance layered with new cultural and personal significance, forever capturing our imagination.