Ovale hoedendoos van karton; op het deksel een etiket van Froger & Zoon c. 1895

This is an oval cardboard hat box, likely made in the early 19th century by Isaäc Johannes Froger. The box presents a study in simple forms, with its curved oval lid and straight-sided base. Its unadorned surface is interrupted only by a paper label bearing the maker’s mark and a string closure. The muted beige of the cardboard and the faded label speak to the passage of time. The hat box challenges our perception of value and artistic intention. Is it merely a functional object, or can its form and construction be considered art? The box prompts us to consider the semiotics of everyday objects. The label functions as a signifier of commerce and trade. The object challenges our preconceived notions about art and commerce. Ultimately, the hat box serves as a reminder that meaning is not fixed, but rather is constructed through our interaction with objects and the cultural codes they embody.