Musketmaat van messing met een leren huls en leren oortjes c. 1590 - 1596

This is an anonymous musket measure, crafted from brass with a leather sleeve and ears. Think about the time when firearms became more commonplace. This measure embodies an era defined by conflict, colonialism, and shifting power dynamics. While seemingly a simple tool, it also reflects the violence that shaped so many lives. We must consider the measure as an instrument of control and power. It determined the amount of gunpowder someone would need, which then defined their agency in a world where violence was becoming ever more prevalent. Consider the measure's form, humble yet essential. It speaks to the individuals, often nameless and faceless, who loaded muskets, whose lives were intimately tied to the use of such tools. It is also a stark reminder of our intertwined histories, of how a seemingly simple object can carry stories of human ingenuity, conflict, and survival.