Sauceboat (one of a pair) 1717 - 1718

This elegant silver sauceboat was made by Paul de Lamerie, a master silversmith working in 18th century London. Its graceful form was achieved through a combination of casting, hammering, and chasing – all highly skilled processes. Consider how the silversmith likely began with a sheet of silver, hammering it carefully over a series of stakes to gradually raise the bowl-like form. Details would have been added using specialized tools to create the ornate surface decoration. The handle was probably cast separately, then soldered in place. The final step would be the polishing, which gives the piece its brilliant shine, and really brings out the relief of the decoration. Think about the social context of this object. Silver was a luxury material, and only the wealthy could afford such refined tableware. This sauceboat speaks to a culture of conspicuous consumption, and the labor required to produce it reflects the vast social inequalities of the time. By looking closely at its materiality and making, we can understand the sauceboat as more than just a functional object, but as a potent symbol of wealth and status.