Circular brush c. 1930

Here we see a circular brush and tray made from nickel-plated brass, crafted by Emmy Roth, an artist associated with the Bauhaus school. Roth, like many Jewish artists of her time, faced increasing persecution under the Nazi regime. Her work must be understood within the context of the era's oppressive political climate. Bauhaus artists sought to integrate art with industry, blurring the lines between functionality and aesthetics. This object invites us to consider the rituals of personal grooming and presentation. It speaks to ideas of femininity, domesticity, and the everyday routines that construct our identities. Consider how the reflective surfaces of the nickel-plated brass create a dialogue between the object and the person using it. The brush becomes not just a tool, but an instrument of self-reflection. This everyday object embodies a silent resistance to the erasure of identity and the celebration of individuality in the face of adversity.