Mug 1740 - 1741

This silver mug was crafted in England, in the mid-18th century, by Richard Gurney. At the time, the burgeoning middle class was driving a demand for luxury goods. Silverware, once the preserve of the aristocracy, became increasingly common in more ordinary households. It was a signifier of wealth and status. The imagery is subtle, but the engraved heraldic crest speaks volumes. Owning a mug like this said much about a person's social standing. The silversmiths who produced these objects weren't just artisans, but also businessmen, responding to changes in taste and consumption. They had workshops and apprentices, and were part of a wider network of trade and manufacturing. We can better understand pieces such as this one by looking at merchant records, probate inventories, and pattern books. This helps us to understand how the history of art is closely tied to the history of society.