Double beaker 1609 - 1629

Peter Wiber created this double beaker sometime between the late 16th and early 17th centuries, using silver and gilding to craft an object that transcends mere functionality. In a period defined by rigid social hierarchies, luxury items such as this beaker were potent symbols of status and power, reflecting the owner's wealth and taste. It's hard not to consider the implications of drinking vessels like this in the context of a society deeply stratified by class and gender. Whose lips would have touched its rim? The choice of precious metals and the meticulous craftsmanship speak to the desire for extravagance, but also perhaps a more personal narrative. How does this object reinforce or challenge the conventional narratives of its time? What does it tell us about the lives of those who commissioned and used it? Perhaps it acted as a quiet, yet forceful assertion of identity in a world that often sought to erase individuality.