Ruitvormige hanger c. 1575 - 1635

This is an undated ornamental design for a pendant by Corbinian Saur, a German goldsmith who died in 1635. Saur was working during the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods, a time of great artistic and intellectual change. The detailed engraving offers a glimpse into the values of adornment and status in 17th-century European society. During this period, jewelry was not merely decorative; it was deeply intertwined with social identity, signifying wealth, status, and affiliations. The geometric precision and symmetrical balance of the design reflect the cultural emphasis on order and refinement. Saur's design caters to the desires of an aristocratic class eager to display its affluence and cultural sophistication. Consider how the design’s intricacy might mirror the complexities of the social structures it was intended to serve. The pendant is more than a piece of jewelry; it is a statement of identity, a reflection of societal norms, and perhaps, a personal expression of the wearer's aspirations.