Pair of dishes 1714

These dishes were made by Edward Workman, a London silversmith who died in 1719. They are crafted from silver, a precious metal that has been prized for centuries for its lustrous appearance and malleability. The creation of these dishes would have involved a range of skilled techniques, including hammering, shaping, and polishing. Silver, in its raw form, is relatively soft, so Workman likely alloyed it with a small amount of copper to increase its durability. He would have used specialized tools to create the fluted edges and the subtle engraving in the center. These dishes reflect the importance of fine craftsmanship in the 17th and 18th centuries. They speak to the role of luxury goods in signaling social status, and the labor-intensive processes used to create them. They are a reminder that even everyday objects can be elevated to works of art through the skill of the maker.