Fragment van hout, in de vorm van een pijp en versierd met uitgesneden driehoekjes c. 1590 - 1596

This fragment of a pipe, now at the Rijksmuseum, was made from wood and decorated with carved triangles, by an anonymous maker. The inherent qualities of the wood—its grain, texture, and color—heavily influence the pipe's look and feel. The artist employed carving techniques to shape the wood into the form of a pipe, further embellishing it with precisely cut triangular patterns. These decorations reveal the artisan's skill and care, suggesting the importance of this object to its owner. Consider the amount of work involved in transforming a raw piece of wood into this refined object. The labor embedded in the pipe reflects social issues of production, consumption, and potentially even the cultural significance of smoking. By looking closely at the material, making, and social context, we start to question the line between fine art and everyday craft.