Melkkan, ovaal, met filetranden 1804

This is a silver milk jug with reeded edges, crafted by Hyacinthe Pascal la Ruelle. Born in 1763, he lived through tumultuous times in France, witnessing the French Revolution and the rise and fall of Napoleon. This milk jug, with its elegant form and pristine material, speaks volumes about the society in which it was created. During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, silver objects were not merely functional; they were symbols of wealth and status. The jug’s existence points to a culture of refinement and social hierarchy. Consider the institutions that shaped such objects: the guild system that regulated craftsmanship, the wealthy patrons who commissioned them, and the social rituals, such as tea ceremonies, that gave them purpose. To fully understand the jug, one might delve into period inventories, guild records, and etiquette manuals. These sources help us appreciate the milk jug as more than just a vessel. It's a testament to the social, economic, and cultural forces that shaped its creation.