Small oval box with cover (one of a pair) 1755 - 1757

This small oval box with cover was crafted in Augsburg by Johann Martin Satzger I. Satzger lived and worked during the height of the baroque period. The box is made of gold and, at just over 5 inches, is quite small. These precious metal boxes were luxury items in their time, often used by the wealthy to store sweets or beauty patches. In a society where status was everything, such an object served as a clear marker of affluence and belonging to a certain class. The intricate design, with its high relief chasing of foliage, reflects the value placed on artistic skill and conspicuous consumption. Consider how this object embodies the complex social dynamics of the 18th century, reminding us of the economic disparities and the role of material culture in shaping identities and social hierarchies. The intense beauty of this piece belies the social and political realities in which it was forged.