Brandewijnskom van zilver op lage, ronde, onversierde cuppa met twee horizontale uitgezaagde oren. Vals. 1746

This is a silver brandy bowl, crafted by Jan Verdoes. While we don't know the exact date, these bowls were popular in the Netherlands. Imagine the context in which this bowl would have been used. Brandy, often associated with warmth and conviviality, played a role in social rituals. It’s fascinating to consider how gender, race, and class might have influenced who had access to such a luxury item. Was this bowl a symbol of wealth and status, or was it a shared object that promoted a sense of community? Who would have been invited to partake? What conversations might have been had over a cup of brandy? Consider, too, the hands that crafted this bowl. What was Verdoes' position in society, and how did that influence his work? The bowl itself, with its simple, unadorned design, invites us to reflect on the values and aesthetics of the time. It represents a moment frozen in history.