Charger 1630 - 1640

This striking silver charger was made by David Winckler, a German goldsmith, sometime between the mid-16th and early 17th centuries. Such an object goes beyond mere utility; it serves as an emblem of status. The intricate details of this charger are no accident. Winckler would have been acutely aware of the cultural associations carried by such precious metals, which were highly prized in Europe at this time, and used to cement social status. The inclusion of lion's heads and flourishing vegetation also indicates a patron keen to project strength, power, and a cultivated appreciation for nature. Looking at this object, historians might delve into archival records of noble households, guild regulations, and trade routes to better understand the original owner of this charger, and the sophisticated artistic and economic networks of the period. Such investigations will help reveal the social meanings once embedded in this object.