Belgische ridderorde (Leopoldsorde), ontvangen door Willem Drees c. 1950 - 1960

Here is the box for the Belgian Order of Leopold, awarded to Willem Drees; we don’t know who made it or when. Still, I wonder if it was produced in a factory, assembly-line style, or in a small workshop with great care and pride. I bet the maker wondered what treasures this box would hold—what did they imagine the recipient to be like? Did they consider the symbolic significance of this little blue box? The texture of the cardboard itself feels intentional, dignified. I’m drawn to the subtle imperfections and the simple clasp, like the final brushstroke that completes a painting. It reminds me of the boxes I use to store my paints and brushes. Each one has a story, a history of its own. And like this anonymous box, they carry so much possibility. It’s this shared creative energy, I think, that continues to inspire artists across time. It's a constant exchange, you know? A quiet but powerful conversation.