presenteerblad van zilver 1764 - 1765

This serving tray was crafted in silver by Willem Schiff, sometime in the 18th century. Think about the qualities of this material. Silver is valuable, of course, but it's also highly reflective, and it doesn't tarnish easily. It's also relatively soft and easy to work. All of these characteristics are on display here. The flat, polished surface is perfect for reflecting light, drawing the eye to whatever precious cargo it once carried. The rim is decorated with cast elements, carefully chased. Consider the labor and skill that went into this object. Mining and refining the silver. Fashioning it into a useful form. And the social context in which it would have been used: formal, mannered, a potent symbol of status. Objects like these ask us to consider the relationship between luxury, labor, and value. It challenges us to think about the place of craft within the fine arts.