Waaierdoos van papier, taps toelopend, buitenkant beplakt met fijn gestructureerd wit papier, bovenkant deksel met rand van klaverblaadjes afgezet c. 1911

Curator: Looking at this image, one encounters an elegant fan box of paper, dating back to around 1911, crafted by C.D. le Lorrain. Editor: It strikes me as remarkably restrained, almost monastic. The pale hue and simple form speak to a particular aesthetic sensibility of the time, maybe even foreshadowing minimalist tendencies. Curator: Yes, the choice of stark white paper lends an almost spiritual quality. Notice the deliberate use of cloverleaf edging; the clover itself has deep roots in Western symbolism. Traditionally, it evokes fortune and divine grace, acting as a subtle blessing upon the object it contains. Editor: That delicate clover motif does interrupt the severity somewhat. Its presence highlights the otherwise austere geometry of the box; its tapering form presents an interplay of line and plane. There's a beautiful tension between pure geometric shape and the softness of natural forms suggested by the ornamentation. Curator: Precisely! Consider that a fan itself—the object housed within this container—traditionally signaled secrets and hidden messages. Therefore, the unassuming nature of the box further obscures, protecting hidden intimacies and cherished sentiments. Editor: I'm interested in its tactility; I imagine the textured surface of the paper playing with the light, almost beckoning a touch. Semiotically, even the act of carefully placing a fan within signifies a level of ceremony, domestic ritual made meaningful. Curator: Indeed. These objects were carefully considered extensions of personal identity. The fan becomes a vital element in a silent vocabulary of social interactions. It provides an insight into the complexities and subtle rules governing relationships within early twentieth-century society. Editor: So, beyond being a mere receptacle, this fan box speaks volumes about the intersection of form, function, and unspoken narratives—quietly resonating with historical meaning. Curator: And serves as an evocative reminder of the nuanced artistry that once shaped everyday lives.