Two tins 1820

This unassuming tin was made by Fa. Diemont, a company, from an unknown date. Notice the material: it's not some precious substance like gold or silver, but humble tinplate, thin sheets of iron dipped in molten tin to prevent rust. This allowed for mass production, bringing metal containers within reach of ordinary people. Look at the simple, cylindrical form, subtly ornamented with a few parallel lines. The shape would have been stamped out by machine, a process that echoes the industrial revolution. The visual effect of the design relies on the contrast between the sheen of the metal and the crisp, regular lines pressed into the surface. There's real beauty in this object’s functional simplicity, but also a reminder of the labor and industrial processes that allowed it to be made so cheaply and efficiently. It’s a challenge to our traditional art categories, but a testament to the ingenuity of design and the social context of the everyday.