Handgeschreven prijslijst van de slangbrandspuiten gefabriceerd bij de brandspuitfabriek De Erven Arent Almenum, ca. 1850 1840 - 1860

Curator: This handwritten price list, dating from around 1850, details the cost of fire hoses manufactured by De Erven Arent Almenum. I’m struck by how practical it is, a document of everyday commerce rather than "high art." Editor: Exactly! The flowing calligraphy feels almost at odds with its very pragmatic purpose. What can we read into that tension between aesthetics and function? Curator: Everything, perhaps. Think about the labor involved in creating this document – the craftsman meticulously forming each letter with ink, showcasing skill. Then, consider the broader social context: fire prevention becoming a concern of industry. This price list isn't just about cost, but about the material value assigned to safety. It shows a burgeoning consumer culture, even for something as crucial as fire equipment. Editor: So the choice of beautiful calligraphy could be seen as a kind of… branding? Curator: Precisely! An effort to lend credibility and even artistry to a crucial tool. The maker signals the hose is not some crudely fabricated thing, but crafted. This wasn't merely information; it was a constructed representation of value designed to appeal to the consumer. What do you make of that detail down there – ‘with Wheels, extra charge’? Editor: So, a consumer choice? That addition really brings home that even life-saving equipment becomes another point of commerce! I’m left thinking differently about what it means for something to be functional or art. Curator: Yes, we’ve pushed beyond thinking about this simply as a document, seeing instead layers of meaning regarding labor, materiality, and emergent capitalism. I've definitely gained a broader perspective on how the making and selling of things become an integral part of social life.