Liturgical Box with Enamelled Ornament 1850 - 1900

This drawing of a liturgical box with enamelled ornament was made by an anonymous artist on a sheet sometime in the past. What stories could this object tell? Liturgical objects are often associated with exclusivity, reinforcing hierarchical structures within religious institutions and society at large. How do we reconcile the spiritual intentions behind their creation with their potential to symbolize power and exclusion? The enamelled ornaments and precious materials that would have adorned this box speak of wealth and status. Who had access to such objects, and what did they represent in terms of social standing and privilege? Were these women, people of color, or members of the working class? Consider how such designs reflect not only religious devotion but also the socio-economic realities of the time, and how these realities shape our understanding of faith and community.