Boekslot, versierd met medaillons en acanthusblad c. 1754

This silver book clasp, decorated with medallions and acanthus leaves, was made in the 18th century by Lykele Stevens Hoornstra. Silver is a soft material and beautifully receptive to fine detail, meaning that it can be easily shaped into complex forms. The book clasp has been intricately ornamented using a repoussé technique to create the raised decorations of medallions and acanthus leaves. We can only imagine the time, the expertise and the number of skilled hands involved in the piece's production. The silversmith employed techniques that belong to the tradition of the fine arts but are also firmly rooted in craft. Consider the social context in which it was created, the history of class, labor, and consumption, and the traditional distinctions that have long separated craft from fine art. This silver book clasp is a prime example of how such distinctions become blurred and meaningless.