Model of a 24-Pounder Howitzer on a Ship's Carriage 1800

This is a model of a 24-Pounder Howitzer on a Ship's Carriage, made by Jochem Pietersz. Asmus out of brass and wood. The gleaming brass howitzer contrasts beautifully with the matte wood of the carriage, connected by small chains and metal fittings. The model is a scaled-down version of a real cannon used on ships, and made to the finest detail. The work involved in creating such a model, with its small screws and fastenings, is immense. This piece makes us consider how skill and labor are valued differently depending on the context. Is it a model, or a sculpture? Either way, this piece collapses any easy distinction between art and craft. By looking closely at materials and making, we gain a richer understanding of the object itself, and the historical context in which it was made.