Traveling case 1580 - 1585

Curator: I’m drawn to the juxtaposition of these two forms—both containers, yet one radiant and open, the other closed and seemingly quite secretive. Editor: It's amazing to think these intricate containers, created from mixed metals and other media, were crafted around 1580-1585 by Bartholomew Newsam. He was Master of the English Royal Clockmakers at the time, and these pieces are currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Curator: Immediately, I’m intrigued by the shapes and the contrast in materials—one a deep, almost austere dark box with a pronounced lock, the other in gleaming gold with ornate fretwork. Editor: The darker box certainly evokes that sense of mystery! Beyond mere aesthetic appreciation, understanding Newsam's cultural and institutional positioning as the Royal Clockmaker illuminates his craft. He provided crucial instruments and time-keeping devices within the context of courtly life. Were these cases used to store timepieces, navigational equipment, or some other royal accoutrement? Curator: Perhaps. Considering solely the visual language, that intricate gold work suggests something delicate or precious held within. Semiotically, the perforations give a sense of displaying contents, almost of tempting display. Editor: Good point! Newsam was creating functional items, yes, but those objects also broadcasted political authority, technological advancement, and even a growing global outlook, right? These cases aren't isolated objects. They're entangled in a whole web of Tudor sociopolitical ambition. Curator: Certainly. Even viewing it formally, that locking mechanism serves a deeper purpose than simple security. In a Northern Renaissance decorative arts context, security, secrets, display… these merge to imply both social power and perhaps intimate knowledge. Editor: I appreciate how a focused look reveals such an intersection of aesthetic choices and sociopolitical significance. Newsam wasn’t just constructing containers but crafting symbols of royal reach. Curator: Agreed, this Traveling Case reminds me of art’s potent ability to signify beyond its material being.