Goldsmith's Bouquet, from Newes Lauberbuechlein 1628 - 1666

Peter Aubry II created this engraving, Goldsmith's Bouquet, as part of his Newes Lauberbuechlein, a pattern book for goldsmiths during the 17th century. Born in Strasbourg, Aubry lived through a time of immense religious and political conflict in Europe, marked by the Thirty Years' War. These pattern books were instrumental in spreading design ideas across Europe. This particular design, with its symmetrical arrangement of stylized leaves and flowers, reflects the era's fascination with order and the natural world, filtered through an artisan's lens. Looking closely, you might consider how access to such designs was stratified. Goldsmiths, as skilled artisans, held a unique place in society. These bouquets, while seemingly decorative, speak to a deeper social narrative about creativity, class, and the dissemination of culture in a pre-digital world. Aubry's bouquet, more than just a design, is a quiet reflection of a world in transition.