Traveling set in leather case by Johann Ludwig Laminit

Traveling set in leather case 1740 - 1755

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silver, metal, ceramic, sculpture

silver

baroque

metal

ceramic

sculpture

decorative-art

miniature

Dimensions Length (Fork [a]): 8 13/16 in. (22.4 cm); Length (Knife [b]): 10 1/16 in. (25.6 cm); Length (Spoon [c]): 7 5/8 in. (19.4 cm); Length (Marrow spoon [d]): 5 7/8 in. (14.9 cm); Overall (Spice box [e]): 1 × 2 3/8 × 2 1/8 in. (2.5 × 6 × 5.4 cm); Overall (Egg cup [f]): 1 3/4 × 2 1/16 × 1 1/4 in. (4.4 × 5.2 × 3.2 cm); Height (Beaker [g]): 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm); Overall (Case [h]): 2 7/8 × 10 13/16 × 6 3/8 in. (7.3 × 27.5 × 16.2 cm)

Editor: Here we have Johann Ludwig Laminit’s "Traveling Set in Leather Case," crafted around 1740-1755. The delicate silver and ceramic miniatures nestled in the velvet interior almost whisper of a bygone era of opulent travel. How might we unpack its cultural significance? Curator: Well, look at the miniatures, the silver, and the elaborate decoration. This wasn’t just about eating on the go. It speaks volumes about social hierarchies, about who had the privilege of travel and leisure. Doesn’t this set implicitly exclude vast swathes of the population? Who *didn't* get to picnic like this, and why? Editor: That's a sobering contrast. I was initially drawn to the craftsmanship but missed that larger point about accessibility. The idea of carrying this elaborate set is so impractical by today’s standards, yet it says so much about status then. Curator: Precisely! It’s not merely decorative; it’s a statement. Consider the social and political landscape of the time. This ostentatious display of wealth happens against the backdrop of extreme poverty. Does knowing that change your perception of the set's beauty? Editor: It does. I see the artistry but also the social commentary, even if unintended. It forces a consideration of consumption and inequality. How might feminist theory also apply here, especially regarding women's roles in aristocratic life at this time? Curator: Consider who *used* the set and in what social circumstances. Aristocratic women of this time were often confined to specific roles within the household. This set represents wealth and also social expectations around beauty and domesticity that restricted their mobility and agency, ironically using 'travel' as its theme. Editor: This set becomes more than just pretty objects; it becomes a symbol of complex social dynamics and limitations placed on women. Thanks, I’m going to look into this intersection more. Curator: And I will reconsider the function of 'luxury' in similar objects. Thank you for this invigorating analysis!