2025 Archives | Page 2 of 5 | The Decorative Arts Trust

Enlivening Ancient Vessels: Interactions with Roman Bronze Figural Balsamaria

by The Trust | Mar 3, 2026

BY ARIELLE SUSKIN

Balsamaria are a somewhat enigmatic genre of Roman metalwork. They are small containers in the shape of human heads or busts, ranging from approximately two to eight inches tall, typically featuring hinged lids and applied handles.

Shapes and Motifs in Motion: Rethinking Ivory Pipe Cases Across Worlds

by The Trust | Mar 3, 2026

BY NUR’AIN TAHA

Ivory has long been one of the most charged raw materials of global exchange, prized for its smooth texture, lustrous surface, and capacity for fine carving. The ivory pipe case—a portable yet striking item—offers a revealing window into the intersections of trade networks, cultural exchanges, and material.

Changing Identities: 17th-Century Netherlandish Miniatures

by The Trust | Mar 3, 2026

BY JASPER MARTENS

Netherlandish miniature portraits with costumed mica overlay share a uniform visual language and were produced within a relatively short span during the 1630s and 1640s. These little-studied objects are primarily female portraits accompanied by about 20 translucent overlays depicting a wide range of costumes, both male and female, that often reference distinct geographical identities and social and economic roles.