Jeweled Pendant in the Form of a Dragon Sea Monster, with Neptune and a Triton Riding on its Back 1582

Editor: This is Adriaen Collaert’s "Jeweled Pendant in the Form of a Dragon Sea Monster, with Neptune and a Triton Riding on its Back." It’s quite intricate! What stands out to you about the materiality and possible production of this piece? Curator: The engraving suggests a process deeply embedded in the material culture of the time. Consider the labor involved in such detail, and the implied consumption of luxury items. How might the pendant's material—presumably precious metals and gems—reflect social hierarchies? Editor: So, its value goes beyond just aesthetics, reflecting the resources and craftsmanship required to make it? Curator: Precisely. Think about the societal structures that enabled such specialized labor and the circulation of these valuable materials. This piece becomes a record of production, consumption, and power.