Dekseltje van tin voor inktpot c. 1590 - 1596

Editor: Here we have an intriguing piece from around 1590-1596, a tin lid for an inkpot created by an anonymous artist. It’s a small, unassuming object, but the intricate relief work is captivating. What catches your eye about it? Curator: I'm particularly interested in the choice of tin. It wasn’t a precious metal like silver or gold, signaling something about the owner’s status, or perhaps even the status of writing itself at that time. Think of the labor involved in mining, smelting, and crafting even such a 'minor' object. Where might this tin have been sourced? Did the cost of its acquisition impact access to literacy or bureaucratic functions at this time? Editor: That's fascinating, I hadn't considered the socio-economic implications of the material itself! So, the metal becomes more than just the object itself, and the craftsmanship involved, as well. Curator: Exactly. How might this lid be mass produced for the common, such as clerks, scribes or those practicing handwriting in school? Editor: It’s not necessarily mass-produced. And with this specific lid, perhaps its artistic execution—the engraving details for one–elevates the function of writing itself. Like investing a ritual around this skill! Curator: I see what you mean. Though tin is commonplace, embellishment suggests pride of authorship with written and communicated correspondence during a specific class or function. Think of calligraphy and associated artistic presentation from the Islamic Golden Age... In this regard, does this functional artwork point to certain societal hierarchies present at the time of its usage? Editor: It appears so. This small lid is no longer just a lid – it is an artistic creation, and perhaps, evidence of material power! Curator: Precisely.