Charger 1700 - 1750

This pewter charger was created by Benjamin Blackwell in the 18th century. The simplicity of its form is immediately apparent: a perfect circle, defined by subtle concentric rings, and a muted palette. The surface, though uniform in color, reveals traces of its making, with faint lines and subtle imperfections that speak to the nature of the material. The charger's composition focuses our attention on the unadorned surface. Any engraved letters serve not as mere decoration but as integral elements within the overall design. This prioritization of form over ornamentation challenges traditional notions of value. We are invited to consider the object not just for its utility or preciousness, but for the elegance of its structure and the intrinsic qualities of its materiality. The charger functions as a vessel and a reflection of the era’s shifting aesthetic values. It prompts us to reconsider how objects communicate meaning through form, inviting an ongoing re-evaluation of our relationship with material culture.