Galvanoplastische reproductie van een drinkkan met rol- en bladwerk before 1880

This gilded metal drinking can was produced by Elkington & Co., pioneers in the electroplating process, a 19th-century technique which allowed manufacturers to apply a thin layer of gold to a base metal. Electroplating enabled the mass production of items that appeared luxurious but were, in fact, relatively affordable. This democratized access to ornate objects, previously only available to the wealthy. The can’s elaborate decoration, featuring scrolling foliage, is achieved through industrial means, a departure from the hand-worked techniques of earlier goldsmiths. This contrast highlights a shift in the understanding of value; the can imitates the appearance of high-end craft, while embracing the efficiencies of modern industry. The piece reflects broader social and economic shifts, including the rise of consumer culture and the changing relationship between labor, value, and aesthetics. Examining the materials and making of this drinking can opens up questions about authenticity, imitation, and the evolving definition of luxury in an industrial age.