Koffiemolen met messing beslag op houten kast c. 1700 - 1725

Curator: What an exquisite object. We’re looking at a coffee grinder from around 1700-1725. The Dutch were particularly adept at crafting such refined everyday objects during the Golden Age. It’s made from wood and metal, primarily brass. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the radiant glow. Brass, with its golden hue, radiates warmth and opulence. Despite its small size, it gives off an air of importance, wouldn't you agree? Curator: Absolutely. Consider the social context; coffee was an emerging luxury. Objects like these weren't merely functional, but also status symbols reflecting prosperity and refined taste. Editor: Indeed. And brass itself! The recurring stylized foliate designs call to mind abundance, almost a miniature cornucopia surrounding the utility. It speaks of nature, cultivation, and then, immediate comfort and warmth derived from the brewing ritual. The coffee experience starts before you taste the product. Curator: And the meticulous joinery of wood and brass, think of the labour involved. Each flourish on the brass requires skill. We shouldn't divorce the artistry from the process, even with something designed for the kitchen. The hand of the craftsman is everywhere. Editor: It's fascinating how even an object made for grinding coffee taps into a deep-seated human appreciation for craft. Those patterns give us a link with older symbol systems too, all hinting at nourishment and domestic harmony. I feel drawn in by it. Curator: Precisely. By looking at its materiality and production we gain a clearer view of life during that era – the emergence of global trade, shifting tastes, and the democratization of luxury. This coffee grinder serves as a time capsule. Editor: It transforms an everyday chore into a visually-stimulating experience. Now, when I next grind coffee beans I think I will be thinking about continuity and how even quotidian tasks are imbued with beauty that lasts across the ages. Curator: An object meant for work, now inviting reflection across three centuries.