Scharenslijper before 1696

This small silver sculpture of a knife grinder was created by Wessel Jansen sometime before his death in 1696. It's made entirely of silver, a precious material that's been carefully worked to represent a common scene. Silver has been used for centuries to create objects of beauty and status, its reflective surface adding a touch of luxury, and its malleability allows for intricate detail. In this piece, we see that Jansen has carefully shaped the metal to create the figure of the grinder, his sharpening wheel, and the other mechanical parts of his trade. The choice of silver elevates this small figurine beyond a mere representation of labor. It's a complex scene, and the amount of labor invested in the making of this sculpture is obvious. In the 17th century, specialized skills and knowledge were required to mine, refine, and shape silver, and we can assume that Jansen had mastered a whole host of such skills. This artwork is a reminder that all objects have their own story to tell, and invites us to appreciate the skill and creativity that goes into their making.