Strooibus 1688

This caster was crafted in the late 17th or early 18th century by Adam Loofs, a silversmith working in the Netherlands. Its elegant form is made entirely of silver. Consider the way the smooth, cylindrical body of the caster rises to meet its elaborately pierced dome. Silverwork like this demanded a high level of skill. The body of the caster would have been raised from a flat sheet of silver, hammered and shaped over time, while the pierced top was likely achieved through careful sawing and filing. The design, reminiscent of delicate lace, allows for the even distribution of sugar or spices. The value of this object lies not only in the preciousness of its material, but also in the labor required to bring it into being. Loofs’s craftsmanship elevates a functional object to a symbol of luxury and status, blurring the lines between the decorative and the fine arts.