Twee schenkkannen before 1742

These two ornate ewers, or pitchers, were etched by an anonymous artist. The careful detail of the image reminds us of the great skill of the artist, whilst the decoration of the ewers themselves reflect the high status of the objects and the wealth of their owner. These were not everyday objects. On closer inspection, the viewer might notice the variety of figures from what appear to be classical and biblical scenes. Often, such mixing of classical and religious imagery was intended to show harmony between traditions and to emphasize the virtue and knowledge of the owner. These pitchers, although beautiful objects, are more than mere decoration. They remind us that identity is often constructed through the objects that we choose to surround ourselves with. It makes you wonder, who were the people who owned these objects and what did they want to communicate about themselves?