Large oval tray (one of a pair) 1761 - 1763

Johann Martin Satzger I crafted this silver tray, one of a pair, in Augsburg, Germany, during the 18th century. Silverware like this wasn't just functional; it broadcasted the owner's wealth and social standing. Augsburg was a major center for silver production, known for its skilled artisans and strict guild system. These guilds controlled the quality and style of goods, ensuring high standards but also reinforcing social hierarchies within the craft. The ornate decorations on the tray, featuring floral motifs and possibly heraldic symbols, reflect the Baroque taste for extravagance, popular among the European elite. The very existence of such luxury items speaks volumes about the economic inequalities of the time, and invites questions about the relationship between artistic production, patronage, and social class. To further understand this tray, we might delve into guild records, period inventories, and studies of consumption patterns in 18th-century Germany.