Box with Joan van Hoorn’s coat of arms c. 1700 - 1710

This octagonal black lacquer box, decorated with gold, was likely commissioned in the 18th century. The box is adorned with the coat of arms of Joan van Hoorn, a member of the Dutch elite whose family played a significant role in the Dutch East India Company. Consider this object as a relic of global trade and colonial power, and how the demand for luxury goods shaped cultural exchange between Europe and Asia. The traditional Asian motifs, such as the women in traditional dress and the idyllic landscape, are filtered through a European lens. The box becomes a symbol of status and wealth for the Dutch elite. Imagine the box as a container of untold stories, reflecting both personal narratives and broader historical forces. It embodies the complex interplay of identity, power, and cultural exchange that defined the era of Dutch colonialism.