Strainer 1760 - 1780

This strainer was crafted by Jacob Gerritse Lansing in the 18th century, from silver. Consider the labor invested in this object. Silver is extracted from the earth, then smelted and refined. Lansing, a silversmith, would have melted the refined silver and shaped it, using hammers and forming tools. Note the small, precisely placed perforations: each one carefully made to allow liquid to pass through. The handle is formed separately, with delicate ornamentation, then attached. This strainer speaks to a culture of refinement and consumption. In the 1700s, tea, coffee, and other imported beverages were luxury goods, requiring specialized implements like this one. The strainer isn't just a functional object; it's a symbol of status, reflecting the owner's wealth and taste. Lansing's craftsmanship elevates the everyday, blurring the line between the functional and the artistic. It reminds us that even the simplest objects can carry complex social and cultural meanings.