Casket 1675 - 1685

Editor: Here we have a Baroque Casket, sculpted around 1675 to 1685 by Michel Redlin. The piece uses wood carving in relief, resulting in this striking sculpture, a decorative storage container, really. The amber and brown tones, along with all of the orbs, lend it a somewhat serious or royal personality. What significance might be layered into such a carefully ornamented object? Curator: I’m intrigued by the very idea of a casket, what we choose to enshrine, materially or metaphorically. This one, with its multiple levels and finials, reminds me of a miniature reliquary or temple. Do you see how the light seems to glow *from within* the amber panels? This links it to the traditions of sacred objects. It is as though the maker sought to create a 'memory palace' in physical form. Editor: Memory palace… I never thought about it like that! It is a three-dimensional mnemonic device, encoding something precious. Curator: Exactly. In a pre-photography world, objects like these held memory in tangible form. Consider the animal figure perched at the very top - a symbol, perhaps, of guardianship, or even personal identity? What narratives or secrets might be contained within? Editor: A guardian…protecting memories. What kind of person would commission something so intricate? Curator: Someone deeply concerned with legacy, or perhaps grappling with mortality. Baroque art is often about drama and spectacle, but also profound contemplation. Redlin here uses symbolic language to comment on what survives and remains important. The symbolism elevates this into something much more than a simple storage box. Editor: This makes me think of family heirlooms. It makes you wonder what will survive the test of time. I like your interpretation. Thanks for sharing that! Curator: It's been my pleasure; analyzing the silent symbolism embedded in artifacts offers us a unique lens into understanding a culture’s collective mind.