Salver 1736 - 1737

This silver salver was crafted by Gottlieb Menzel, an Augsburg master, during an era defined by rigid social structures. Menzel, who lived from 1676 to 1757, would have been acutely aware of his place in the hierarchy of his time. The salver itself, with its ornate designs and precious material, speaks to the wealth and status of its intended owner. Reflect on the labor and resources required to produce such an object. The intricate engravings, the weight of the silver, all underscore a world of privilege and power. Yet, we might also consider the hands that shaped it: the artisan, Menzel, whose skill afforded him a unique position, somewhere between servant and creator. How might Menzel's own identity, his sense of self, be interwoven with the act of creating for a class so different from his own? The salver is not merely an object; it's a silent witness to the complex relationship between artist, patron, and society. It allows us to contemplate the intersections of labor, class, and artistry.