Doos horend bij een bronzen penning 1970

This box, whose maker and date are unknown, houses a bronze medal. But let’s consider the box itself. It is probably made of tin-plated steel, a common material for small containers of all kinds. The dark blue color is likely a paint or lacquer, perhaps applied with a spray gun. The hinge and clasp are simple, functional elements, crimped into place with a punch or die. The box is a product of industrial processes and materials. It is a reminder that even the humblest object reflects global systems of labor and consumption. Think of the mining of raw materials, the refining of metals, the manufacture of paints, the assembly of components, and the distribution of the finished product. All this lies behind the creation of even such a simple container. Considering the box alongside the medal encourages us to think more expansively about value, and the many forms it can take.