Marktemmer 1757

This silver Marktemmer was made by Johannes van Somerwil in the Netherlands, sometime in the mid-18th century. A Marktemmer is a wine taster, and this one speaks volumes about the social rituals of drinking in the Dutch Republic. The Dutch Golden Age was a period of immense wealth, and objects like this reflect the rise of a prosperous middle class eager to emulate the lifestyles of the aristocracy. The wine taster isn’t just about function, it’s a statement of status. Silver objects indicated a refined taste and access to luxury, signaling the owner's place in the social hierarchy. By examining guild records, probate inventories, and social etiquette manuals, we can begin to understand the full context of this object. The history of art is not just about aesthetics, it's a window into the values, aspirations, and social structures of the past.