Box 1795 - 1805

This silver box was made by Johann Christian Sick, who died in 1824. Its octagonal form offers a play of angles and planes that catch the light in subtle ways. The overall effect is one of restrained elegance, a hallmark of Neoclassical design. Notice how Sick balances smooth, undecorated surfaces with areas of intricate detailing. The frieze of stylized palmettes that encircles the box's perimeter provides a horizontal rhythm that is echoed in the radiating leaves of the finial. This interplay between simplicity and ornamentation reflects broader aesthetic concerns of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. On one hand, there’s a desire for clarity, order and reason; on the other, an appreciation for refined craftsmanship and decorative embellishment. As you contemplate this object, consider how it exemplifies this tension, embodying a moment of transition between the Rococo and Neoclassical styles.