Twee horlogekasten, een band, een krans en twee hangers before 1742

Paul Collet made this print of watch case and pendant designs. What might these patterns tell us about the social and cultural values of the time? This print, with its floral patterns and jewel-like forms, speaks to the visual language of luxury and status in the 17th or 18th century, likely in France, given the inscription. The 'Privilege du Roy' indicates royal approval, suggesting a connection to the court and its patronage of the arts. Such designs reflect a society deeply invested in outward displays of wealth and refinement. The institutional history of design and craft is crucial here. Guilds and royal academies controlled artistic production, setting standards for quality and taste. These designs, therefore, represent not just individual creativity but also the power structures that governed artistic practice. To fully understand this print, we might consult period inventories, fashion plates, and guild records. Through such research, we can appreciate how art is embedded in the social fabric of its time.