Nouveau Recueil des Troupes Legeres de France Levees depuis la presente Guerre, avec la date de leur creation, le nombre dont chaque Corps est compose; leur Uniforme & leurs Armes 1747

This book, titled "Nouveau Recueil des Troupes Legeres de France", was made by P. B. La Rüe, and its most striking feature is the leather binding, elaborately decorated with gold tooling. Think about the labor involved in producing such a book. The tanning and preparation of the leather alone would have been a skilled undertaking, as would the delicate process of applying the gold leaf patterns. These patterns, too, are significant, referencing the French military through their heraldic design. The book speaks to a culture of craftsmanship, where meticulous handwork and specialized knowledge were highly valued. The gold tooling isn't just decorative; it elevates a functional object to a luxury item. The quality of materials and the level of craftsmanship involved tell us about the social status of its intended owner. Ultimately, this book prompts us to reflect on the relationship between labor, materials, and social status. It demonstrates how the very act of making can imbue an object with cultural meaning, blurring the lines between craft and fine art.