Charger

Art Historical Context

Behold the elegant *Charger* by Sebald Ruprecht a masterful example of early 18th-century pew craftsmanship dating to around 1700–1750. This wide, shallow dish—measuring just 6 × 40.2 cm (2⅜ × 15⅛ in.)—exemplifies the European tradition of decorative tableware designed more for display than daily use. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Department Applied Arts of Europe, highlights the artistry of functional objects from the Baroque era's waning years. Pewter, an alloy primarily of tin with traces of antimony and copper, was a beloved medium in 17th- and 18th-century Europe. More afforda...