Rosewater ewer 1725 - 1735

This rosewater ewer was crafted by Johann Erhard Heiglen in the 18th century. It's a gilded vessel, standing just over a foot tall. Imagine a society where hygiene rituals were entwined with displays of status. Rosewater ewers like this were integral to the ritual of hand washing, a performative act among the elite. Consider the gendered implications of cleanliness and presentation during this era, where women's beauty and virtue were often judged by their perceived purity. The ewer, often handled by servants attending to the needs of the upper class, reflects a complex web of social relations. The elaborate ornamentation speaks to the values of the society it was created in, highlighting the cultural significance placed on beauty and refinement. Think about the emotional dimension of owning such an object: what would it feel like to pour rosewater from this ewer, knowing that you were participating in a ritual that reinforced your position in society?