Buitenkast van groen roggenleer c. 1755

Jean-Baptiste Baillon crafted this petite "Buitenkast van groen roggenleer" – or, outer case in green shagreen – sometime around the mid-18th century. The eye is immediately drawn to its circular form, a shape often associated with continuity and the eternal. The green shagreen, punctuated by small golden details, offers a tactile contrast to the smooth, transparent cover. The meticulous arrangement of these elements speaks to a desire for harmony and order. The choice of shagreen—a rare and luxurious material derived from shark or stingray skin—destabilizes established values. It suggests a subtle commentary on the era's opulence, questioning the very nature of value and representation. The circular structure, combined with the exotic texture, may invite one to consider how objects can simultaneously embody and subvert cultural meanings. Notice how the outer case challenges our assumptions about beauty and worth. It encourages us to look beyond the surface and consider the complex interplay between material, form, and cultural significance.