Plate c. 1777

This plate was crafted by Joseph Heilingotter, IV, though we don't have a precise date for its creation. Such a piece speaks to the democratization of dining in its time. Pewter was more affordable than silver, and the rise of a middle class meant more people could aspire to finer table settings. The plate's design, with its simple, functional form, reflects a shift away from purely ornamental objects towards items that combined beauty with utility. Without a date, it is difficult to know the precise origins and implications of this plate. But, we might consider the social context in which objects such as this could be produced. Did it critique the excesses of aristocratic dining, or did it aspire to elevated tastes? Answering these questions requires looking at inventories, guild records, and other historical documents, all of which help us understand the culture that produced it.