Large oval box (one of a pair) 1775 - 1777

Gottlieb Satzger, a German silversmith, made this silver box in the 18th century. It is an exquisite object, decorated with flowers and foliage in the Rococo style. But this is more than just a pretty object. It tells us a lot about the society in which it was made. Silver was a precious material, and only the wealthy could afford such items. The Rococo style was popular among the aristocracy. This box then was a symbol of status and wealth. It speaks volumes about the economic inequalities of the 1700s. What did it contain? That is a mystery we can only speculate on. It might be a container for jewelry, trinkets, letters, or sweets. To fully understand this box, we need to look at the history of silver-making in Germany, the patronage system, and the social customs of the time. We can study trade routes and guild regulations. Art history is not just about aesthetics, it is about people, power, and the circulation of wealth and ideas.