Zilveren beker van het Sint-Maartensgilde van Haarlem 1847 - 1880

The Dutch artist Johan Conrad Greive created this silver beaker for the Haarlem Guild of Saint Martin. The material of silver gives this drinking vessel a reflective quality that is both beautiful and practical. The complex form of the beaker, from its stepped foot to the figural group at the very top, indicates that many distinct pieces were made and soldered together, reflecting considerable labor input. Guilds, like that of St. Martin, were economic engines and powerful players in the social fabric of early modern Europe. Silver was often associated with high status, and objects like these were symbols of wealth and prestige for those who commissioned them. The intense detailing, like the fine chasing of the surface decoration, speaks to traditions of craft. Considering the beaker’s materiality, processes, and historical context reveals a rich and complex story. It invites us to reconsider how we value the labour and skills of its maker, beyond simple distinctions between art and craft.