Muntvormig doosje met foto's "Souvenir d' Amsterdam" 1870 1870

G. Theod. Bom made this coin-shaped box with photographs, a ‘Souvenir d’Amsterdam’, around 1870. Made of silver, its small size and intricate details suggest the skilled labor involved in its creation. The coin shape itself is intriguing. Was it made from an actual coin, or fabricated to resemble one? Either way, the choice of silver as a material speaks to its value as currency, and as a precious metal often used for commemorative objects. The box might have been intended for a wealthy clientele, eager to acquire unique souvenirs. Consider, too, the detailed photographs inside – tiny windows onto Amsterdam. The creation and insertion of these images would have been painstaking work, requiring specialized knowledge. It asks us to consider the intersections of craft and photography. This object beautifully encapsulates the burgeoning tourism industry and the rise of consumer culture in the late 19th century.