Kookpot c. 1662 - 1666

This diminutive 'Kookpot', or 'Cooking Pot', was created by Michiel Maenbeeck in the 17th Century. During the Dutch Golden Age, objects like this reflected not just wealth but also a growing interest in the domestic sphere. The Kookpot, though small, speaks volumes about the societal expectations placed on women. Its use as a cooking pot, even in miniature, is related to gendered roles within the household. Consider how the labor of cooking and managing a household, often unseen and undervalued, becomes memorialized in such a precious object. These objects blur the line between utility and art, reflecting the complex interplay of domestic life and cultural identity.