BK-1979-25

About this artwork

zilver, hout, vernieuwd velours

Art Historical Context

**BK-1979-25 by Pieter Adolf Bruné (1785)** Crafted in 1785 by Dutch silversmith Pieter Adolf Bruné, this delicate object stands at just 14.3 cm high and showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of late 18th-century Amsterdam workshops. Combining silver, wood, and renewed velvet, it reflects the opulent material pairings favored in the Netherlands during the Enlightenment era, when silversmiths like Bruné produced luxury items for affluent patrons. The "sawing" medium hints at intricate woodworking techniques integrated with gleaming silver mounts, possibly evoking decorative tools or functional ornaments popular in bourgeois interiors. Bruné, active in Amsterdam's vibrant silver trade, embodied the transition from ornate Rococo to emerging Neoclassical restraint, blending functionality with elegance. Such hybrid pieces—merging metalwork, wood, and soft textiles—highlighted technical virtuosity and served as status symbols, often displayed in cabinets of curiosities. The renewed velvet underscores ongoing conservation efforts, preserving its tactile allure for modern viewers. This modest yet masterful work invites us to appreciate the unsung artistry of silversmithing, where everyday motifs were elevated to heirloom treasures amid Holland's Golden Age afterglow. (198 words)