Casket 1683

This Casket was made in England by William Fowle around 1680, likely from silver, then gilded. Its reflective surface and intricate ornamentation speak to the silver trade that was already well established at that time. The casket provides a glimpse into the lifestyle of England's elite class, who had access to such luxuries due to their wealth and status. The material is worked by hand using techniques of chasing and repoussé: hammering the metal from both sides to create a relief design. This highly skilled work, requiring years of training, indicates that the maker would have been a professional silversmith, probably catering to wealthy clients. Given the labor-intensive processes involved in making this object, its value extended beyond mere utility, becoming a symbol of status and refinement. Looking at this casket, we realize that materials, making, and context are essential for understanding the full meaning of an artwork and that this challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.