Melkkan 1748

Daniël van Strant crafted this silver milk jug, or 'Melkkan,' sometime between 1694 and 1756, reflecting the tastes of the Dutch elite during the Dutch Golden Age. This isn't just a functional object; it speaks volumes about the social rituals of the time. The jug’s delicate form and precious material signal its intended use within a refined domestic setting. Drinking milk was increasingly fashionable, and the elite would have used jugs such as this one to perform refinement and sophistication for visitors. The Dutch Republic was a major economic power, so we can imagine the rising merchant class eager to imitate aristocratic habits, commissioning similar, though perhaps less opulent, versions of such items. To fully appreciate its place in history, consider the Dutch East India Company's trade routes, the availability of silver, and the evolving dining habits of the Dutch. This is where the historian comes in, piecing together the story behind the object through archives, inventories, and studies of material culture.