Tankard (Schnelle) with The Last Judgment 16th century

Editor: This stoneware tankard, or "Schnelle," from the 16th century, depicts the Last Judgement in relief. It's fascinating that such a weighty scene is captured on a vessel intended for, well, drinking! What's your take on seeing a religious scene rendered on functional pottery? Curator: It’s vital to consider the socioeconomic context and means of production here. Stoneware like this wasn't just functional; it signified a level of affluence. The Last Judgement, then, becomes a decoration signifying moral virtue as much as faith. How does the layering of religious narrative and functional object influence its perceived value, both then and now? The material, the labor invested in the relief carving, all speak to a specific kind of consumer culture. Editor: So, it’s less about piety and more about… status? Curator: Not *instead* of piety, but consider how faith was materially expressed and consumed. The means of its creation and how that was regarded is more interesting than some ethereal intention. It asks questions of how class structures defined craft specialization in the medieval age and even consumer choices in relation to artistic themes. Can you see the evidence of repetitive labor here? Editor: Yes, the textured surface looks quite labor-intensive, and there are some irregularities. The level of detail, while impressive, isn't perfectly uniform. Curator: Exactly! And the transfer of labor into commodity brings our interpretation back into a class dynamic; that in itself holds as much relevance as whatever moral tale the Schnell' portrays! Editor: That's a fascinating way to look at it – it challenges my ideas about decorative art. Now I can see the Schnell' beyond a decorative object and closer to the realm of cultural and social symbolism! Curator: Precisely. Considering the material realities is key.