Pair of salvers on pedestal feet 1720

Paul de Lamerie crafted this pair of silver salvers in London during the first half of the 18th century. These aren't just ornamental objects; they speak volumes about the social hierarchies of the time. The salvers, with their understated elegance, would have been status symbols in upper-class households. Note the engraved coat of arms: these were important visual markers of lineage and social standing. Such displays of wealth weren’t without controversy in an era marked by significant disparities in income and rising social tensions. To truly understand these objects, we must go beyond aesthetics and consider the historical context: the economic conditions that enabled such luxury, the social norms that dictated its display, and even the artistic institutions that shaped its production. Art history, then, isn’t just about the art; it's about the world around it.