Kist van coromandelhout met beslag van tin 1929

Anton Fortuin crafted this coromandel wood chest, adorned with tin fittings, sometime between 1880 and 1967. Fortuin was a Dutch artist who lived during a period of significant social and political change, including both World Wars. During this time, artists often grappled with questions of national identity and cultural heritage. Here, the choice of materials is striking: Coromandel wood, prized for its luxurious appearance, was historically sourced from Southeast Asia and exported through colonial trade routes. Meanwhile, the tin fittings, with their flowing, stylized motifs, evoke the influence of both Art Nouveau and Asian design. The chest invites us to consider the complex relationships between trade, colonialism, and artistic expression. It offers a glimpse into the ways in which artists navigated their cultural identities, and perhaps reveals a certain tension between exoticism and belonging during a tumultuous era. How does the visual interplay of these materials and motifs resonate with you?