Oval dish 1767 - 1769

Christian Drentwett II, a silversmith active in Augsburg, Germany, crafted this oval dish sometime in the 18th century. Augsburg was a center for luxury goods, catering to Europe's aristocracy. This dish embodies the Rococo style, characterized by its ornate, asymmetrical designs, a stark contrast to the preceding Baroque era's formality and rigidity. But, it was more than just a style; it reflected a shift in power dynamics, with the aristocracy seeking pleasure and indulgence, while revolution was brewing. Silverware like this was a symbol of wealth and status, but also a marker of social divisions. Consider the labor involved in creating such an object, from mining the silver to the artisans shaping it. Each piece tells a story about the economic and social structures of the time. This dish is a reminder that even the most beautiful objects can be implicated in complex histories of power, labor, and inequality.