Cup 17th century

This elaborate cup was created by Jakob Heise, a German goldsmith active in the 17th century. It’s made primarily of silver, with some gilding to highlight the details. The cup’s complex form speaks to the silversmith’s skills: the chasing, engraving, and casting involved would have demanded years of training. Notice the intricate details, such as the embossed marine motifs, mythological figures and the figure of Neptune with his trident topping the composition. What does all this labor signify? For one thing, that this wasn't an ordinary object. It was undoubtedly intended for display and the demonstration of wealth. The very concept of tableware rendered in precious metal speaks to a culture of excess. While we can admire Heise’s technical mastery, we might also reflect on the social conditions that enabled such conspicuous consumption, and the many anonymous hands involved in extracting, refining, and trading the materials.