[Still-Life with Cockatoo, Ornamental Ball, Lace, Statuette] 1850s

This stereograph, "Still-Life with Cockatoo, Ornamental Ball, Lace, Statuette," was made by T.R. Williams, who was active in the mid-19th century. It's a photograph, but its power lies in how it stages a kind of hyper-reality. Stereographs were essentially an early form of virtual reality, allowing viewers to experience a sense of depth and presence through a specially designed viewer. This image relies on a range of props, the titular cockatoo of course, but also the less exotic lace, statuette and ornamental ball. When viewed through a stereoscope, these elements would have popped into three-dimensional space, creating a convincing illusion of reality. This brings us to the broader social context: in an era of increasing industrialization and mass production, photographs were often used to document and celebrate material culture. Here, Williams isn't just capturing objects; he's inviting viewers to immerse themselves in a world of crafted things. It reminds us that even in the age of mechanical reproduction, the allure of handmade objects remains strong.