Barber's basin 1730 - 1765

This Delftware barber’s basin, made by the De Witte Starre Manufactory, stands as a testament to the intimate rituals of personal care in its time. Imagine the gendered space of the barber shop, a place where men gathered not just for grooming, but for conversation and community. The basin, with its scalloped edges and central scene of what looks like an industrious landscape, was integral to that experience. Notice how the seemingly pastoral scene almost fades into the background, overshadowed by the ornate decorations and suggesting an everyday kind of beauty. Consider how this object provided an opportunity for both the barber and the client to contemplate their place in society, reflecting on their identities and roles. It is a quiet invitation to reflect on the intersection of public and private life.