Plate 1756

This silver plate was crafted by Pierre Bernard, a silversmith active in late 17th and early 18th-century France. It's made from a single sheet of silver, likely hammered and shaped by hand. Look closely, and you’ll see a coat of arms engraved at the center. The scalloped edge and the overall sheen of the piece speak to the silversmith’s skill. The plate’s material is significant. Silver was, and still is, a precious metal, symbolizing wealth and status. The creation of such an object involved mining, refining, and the skilled labor of a master silversmith. This plate is a testament to the economic systems of its time, where luxury goods were made for an aristocratic class. By examining the materials and making processes, we realize this plate is more than just a pretty object; it’s a reflection of labor, class, and consumption in a historical context.