Pochette 1670s

This is a pochette by Georg Wörle, currently residing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Notice how the pochette's form adheres to a strict verticality. The eye is immediately drawn upwards, along the length of the instrument. The linear structure is emphasized by the contrasting materials, juxtaposing dark wood with pale ivory. The vertical emphasis gives a sense of upward striving, yet this is mediated by the monkey head at the top which introduces an element of earthly playfulness. Looking closely, we see the body is decorated with small stars inlaid into the wood which serves as a symbolic language, a semiotic system that elevates the instrument beyond its functional purpose. Finally, observe the balance achieved between the natural grain of the wood and the craftsman's alterations. This reflects a broader cultural interest in the interplay between nature and artifice. The pochette's formal qualities encourage us to see it not just as a musical instrument, but as a crafted object embedded with cultural meaning.