Ewer 1550 - 1899

This rock crystal ewer, standing at nine and a half inches, was created by Alfred André in the late 19th century. André, working within a historical context of shifting class structures and burgeoning industrialization, crafted an object that both celebrates and critiques aristocratic traditions. The ewer, with its delicate carving and precious metal embellishments, speaks to the opulence of a bygone era, yet the transparency of the rock crystal also hints at a kind of vulnerability, or perhaps even honesty. One can imagine how the wealthy of the time used objects like this to serve each other, reinforcing their power and influence through carefully constructed displays of wealth. Consider how an object like this carries with it the weight of labor and the history of resource extraction. As you gaze at its intricate details, reflect on how these histories are literally embedded in the material.