Pin cushion 1738 - 1750

Editor: This is the “Pin cushion,” crafted between 1738 and 1750, attributed to Johann Jakob Schoap I. It's currently housed at The Met. The silver metalwork is so intricate against the velvety cushion. I find it unexpectedly… calming. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Ah, "calming," a curious and lovely interpretation! It takes me back to the meticulousness, the patience of the 18th century artisan. Schoap, I imagine, saw a little world in miniature here – an opportunity to let silver sing. Note the rococo flair in those delicate, asymmetrical curves. It’s not just functional, is it? What kind of status symbol could this be? Editor: Definitely, It goes beyond a simple pin cushion... Perhaps a display of wealth and refinement? A little jewel for the dressing table. Curator: Precisely! But also, perhaps, a whisper of personal artistry from the lady of the house herself? Imagine her, choosing silks, embroidering fine details, securing it all with pins held within this exquisite object. I wonder, does the brown velvet ground the silver’s exuberance? Editor: I hadn't considered that tension, but I think you're right! The subdued velvet lets the silver almost dance, giving it a liveliness it might not have otherwise. Curator: Exactly! Isn’t it marvelous how something so small, so seemingly simple, can hold such stories, such whispers of a life lived long ago? It gives you goosebumps if you let it. Editor: It does! I'll definitely see this with new eyes. Thanks for sharing your insights.