Pendant Design with Niche and a Vase with Two Handles Above Rectangular Ornaments 1530 - 1573

This 'Pendant Design with Niche and a Vase' was etched by Jan Collaert I in the late 16th century. Collaert was part of the influential Antwerp school of printmakers, a region undergoing the transformations of the Reformation and the rise of mercantile capitalism. This design offers us a glimpse into the opulent aesthetic of the era. Note the elaborate ornamentation, the play of classical motifs with the naturalistic floral patterns. These pendants were status symbols, worn primarily by men, and signified wealth and social standing. The design itself is architectural, almost like a miniature temple hanging from the wearer's neck. Consider this intricate design as part of a broader cultural history of adornment and identity. It begs the question: how do the objects we choose to display on our bodies communicate our aspirations and social positions? How do they reinforce or challenge the hierarchies of their time?