Melkkan 1742

This is a silver Melkkan, or milk jug, crafted by Arnoldus van Geffen sometime between 1700 and 1769. While seemingly a simple household item, it speaks volumes about Dutch society during the 18th century. Silver objects like this weren’t just functional; they were symbols of wealth and status, reflecting the complex social hierarchies of the time. Consider who would have owned such a piece: likely a member of the affluent merchant class, profiting from global trade while others labored. The jug offers an entry point to discuss the economic disparities and colonial entanglements that shaped the Netherlands. It represents a moment in time, a tangible manifestation of the era's values and power dynamics. Reflect on the lives touched by this object, both those who enjoyed its use and those whose labor contributed to its creation. How does considering this reframes our understanding of beauty and value?