The decline of asthetics in the toothpick/Q-tip category
Here’s something dug up from the bottom of the ocean:
No, I don’t mean the clamshell; I’m talking about the gold thingee inside it. It’s a combination toothpick and earwax remover, close to 400-years old, probably from a Spanish galleon that sank in the neighborhood off Key West where it was recently found.
I was relieved to discover, on viewing the artifact, that the two functions were not merged, but rather were kept nicely separate—although I’m wondering where the nosehair trimmers might have been, one of the many grooming tools the modern male of “a certain age” just can’t do without.
The beautiful little gold tool in the photo was meant to be worn on a chain around the neck, according to the copy. It reminds me of how the simplest and humblest items of manufacture in pre-industrial times were so often far more beautiful than they needed to be. It seems that when making things by hand, pride of design comes into play in a way that evaporates once mass production and practicality become the main concerns.
Although I must say I’m very happy that the toothpick and the Q-tip have now been de-linked.
Neo, mother said “Never put anything in your ear that’s smaller than your elbow with your winter coat on. ” And she said it with a glare on her face. I still buy Q-tips.
Neo,
its not pride, its free market competition… however the market was a very small minority of very wealthy feudal type lords (think russia today), and a very large lumpen proletariat that had nothing to do other than slave in the fields or try to catch the eye of the lords and ladies in the market.
if you pay close attention to movies and things, the street hawker who has something special is a common scene… he holds others work in case the lord goes by… then if liked, the lord can pluck the artisan from the crowde and change destiny.
imagine 200 people, no technology, and lots of time to make fancy looking common items.
ford motor company paid 7 dollars a week, and that was considered a high wage… watch little house on the prarie… a weeks work was a quarter..
farther back… well you can look it up, but we wouldnt give a farthing, but they would jump on one.
merit and talent was the only way that a free market entity could add value to a common thing.
after all, for those too poor, a small twig carved with a pocketknift would do
by the way, you can call that the renaissance equivalent to the gold coke spoon. 🙂
We moderns, I have seen, have an earwax implement far superior this gold thing; I have seen it used by
college professors, shopkeeps, and rednecks. Our modern device also has a dual function: it not only cleans one’s ears but it also starts one’s car.
I need an ear hair trimmer.
I know: “TMI”… 😯