Fragment van een musketmaat c. 1590 - 1596

This object is a fragment of a musket measure, made by an anonymous maker. The conical form is hand-crafted from leather, carefully stitched and bound with cord. Now aged and darkened, the leather retains traces of its past use and handling. The cord used to bind the leather adds a tactile dimension, emphasizing the utilitarian nature of the object. In its time, this musket measure played a crucial role in military operations, ensuring uniformity in ammunition and, by extension, in the application of lethal force. But beyond this direct association with warfare, consider the labor involved in producing the object. The tanning of the leather, the stitching, and binding: all testament to craft skills. Ultimately, this fragment offers a compelling insight into the convergence of craft, technology, and social history. It challenges us to look beyond traditional notions of art, and consider the profound cultural significance embedded in even the most functional of objects.