Kist, bekleed met schildpad, met beslag van zilver c. 1740 - 1760

Editor: Here we have a beautiful Baroque chest, made around 1740 to 1760 by Hendrik Rennenbaum. The materials – tortoiseshell, silver, and wood – create such a rich, textured feel. Looking at it, I am reminded of treasure chests from fairy tales and royal jewelry boxes from old films. What hidden stories do you imagine are embedded in its creation and what symbolic value do you see? Curator: This piece immediately draws me to the symbolic contrast between the dark tortoiseshell and the bright silver. Tortoiseshell, in many cultures, represents longevity and protection. Consider its slow, steady growth. Now, think of silver— often linked to purity and clarity. When brought together, especially during the Baroque period, do you notice the interplay between nature’s time, protection, and wealth? Editor: Absolutely, the contrast highlights both the natural and the artificial worlds in harmony! The star shapes of the metal fittings give me a celestial feel too. It almost creates a miniature, protected cosmos, holding secrets safe. Curator: Precisely! Notice the stars specifically, pointing beyond the earthly realm. During the Baroque era, there was also an increasing fascination with science, astronomy, and astrology. A piece such as this represents so much of a culture’s aspirations. But where would such a container be placed? What significance could that positioning have in terms of how the container or its contents were viewed? Editor: So, this isn’t just a container but also an emblem of its era? I never thought about how placement could affect it's significance so greatly! Curator: Exactly! Objects like these hold immense cultural and personal resonance far beyond their practical purposes. I am amazed that so much meaning could be attributed to it.