Doos met deksel van zwart karton, rechthoekig, voor cape van hermelijn c. 1895 - 1905

This is a rectangular box with a lid, made of black cardboard by C.L. Arbeiter. Its stark, almost minimalist form, is immediately striking. The box presents itself as a study in contrasts and constraints. The black color, unrelieved and absolute, dominates, absorbing light and drawing the eye into the solid geometry. Held together by a simple black string, the box’s structure emphasizes function over embellishment. This austerity invites semiotic interpretation. The cardboard suggests transience, and the darkness perhaps alludes to the solemnity of its contents: a ermine cape, a symbol of status and ceremony. The box creates a tension between the preciousness it contains and its mundane appearance. Notice the corners; the way the cardboard is visibly cut and fitted, reveals the construction process, bringing attention to the materiality of the box itself. This visible structure prompts a reconsideration of value and presentation. The box, in its quiet way, prompts questions about accessibility and representation, challenging us to look beyond the surface.