Cup (Gobelet à pied) 1769 - 1770

This is a silver cup, or "Gobelet à pied," made by Jacques-Pierre Marteau, a French silversmith who lived between 1679 and 1779. Consider for a moment, the era in which Marteau created this piece. The late 17th and 18th centuries in France were defined by elaborate displays of wealth and status. Silverware, like this cup, was not merely functional, it was a symbol of power. Now, think about who would have used such an object. This cup was likely owned by someone of considerable means, a member of the aristocracy perhaps, for whom every detail of daily life was carefully curated to reflect their elevated position in society. The cup's delicate engravings and refined form speak to a culture deeply invested in luxury and social hierarchy. What narratives do you think objects like this tell about class, privilege, and the ways in which material culture shapes our identities?