Beaker 1741

This silver beaker was crafted in Sweden by Johan Mansson Wennerwall, active during a time when Swedish society was navigating its place in Europe. Imagine the artisan, part of a culture steeped in both the traditions of the guilds and the burgeoning influences of the Enlightenment, carefully engraving a tulip onto this vessel. The tulip, a flower with strong associations to the Dutch Golden Age, when tulip mania gripped the Netherlands, reflects Sweden's participation in global trade and cultural exchange. This beaker embodies the domestic life of its time; such an object would have served a ritualistic, intimate, and even celebratory purpose. It is intriguing to consider the silversmith's intentions and to see how he negotiated the boundaries of identity through decorative arts. Consider also the hands that would have held this beaker; did they belong to a man, a woman, a merchant, or a member of the Swedish aristocracy? It’s a humble object that opens a portal to questions about the role of craftsmanship in shaping our understanding of history.