Pochette Bow 1767 - 1800

Editor: This drawing, titled 'Pochette Bow,' was created sometime between 1767 and 1800 by the Dodd workshop. It’s a detailed rendering of what appears to be a violin bow. It's quite striking in its simplicity and use of only black and white. What can you tell me about it? Curator: This unassuming image opens up a world of material investigation. Look at how a functional object is presented. A bow wasn't just a tool but a product deeply entwined with societal hierarchies and the means of artistic expression. Can you imagine the labour invested in crafting it and the sourcing of its materials? Editor: So, you're suggesting it goes beyond just being a picture of a bow. You mean it's connected to the artisans, the work it took, and how it would have been used in society? Curator: Precisely. This 'Pochette Bow' symbolizes the broader cultural landscape and systems of production prevalent during the late 18th century. Reflect on who was able to purchase and learn this musical craft. How does the object’s seemingly simple design belie the layers of socio-economic meaning embedded within it? Editor: That's really interesting. I was just looking at the bow, but I hadn't considered how the drawing makes me consider labour and societal inequalities. It's not just an image of something pretty, is it? Curator: Absolutely, and drawing in itself as a craft mirrors that too. Each pencil stroke and tonal choice becomes indicative of a meticulous process and individual hand, reflecting a cultural elevation of craft at odds with the onset of mass manufacturing, so, it shows craft in elevation. Editor: It really shifts the way you think about it. I am seeing it in a completely different way now. Thank you for shedding light on its cultural importance! Curator: And thank you for noticing how craft can hold so many rich materialist readings, shedding light on historical forces behind simple, everyday things.