Egg cup 1742 - 1743

This petite, silver egg cup was crafted by Claude-François Gaucher, a French silversmith active during the reigns of Louis XIV and Louis XV. It's more than a simple domestic object; it’s a symbol of status and societal norms. Imagine the rituals surrounding its use. Breakfast wasn't just a meal, but a performance of wealth and taste. The egg cup, with its delicate floral patterns, speaks to the gendering of domestic spaces. Silverware, like this, often became family heirlooms, embodying histories and values passed down through generations. What stories could this object tell about shifting gender roles and social mobility? Consider also the labor involved in its creation. From the mining of the silver to the artisan's careful hand, this egg cup encapsulates a complex web of human effort and social hierarchy. It's a small object, but it opens up a world of questions about luxury, labor, and the everyday lives of people in the past.