BK-17013-A

About this artwork

hoogte 25 cm x breedte 21 cm (van tuit tot en met oor) x gewicht 1148 gr

Art Historical Context

This elegant gilded vessel, crafted by the Augsburg silversmith Johann Jakob Bruglocher II, dates from the first half of the eighteenth century. Active in one of Europe’s leading centers for fine metalwork, Bruglocher belonged to a distinguished family of goldsmiths whose pieces were prized by aristocratic and wealthy patrons across the continent. The object’s modest yet refined scale—25 centimeters high and weighing just over a kilogram—suggests it was designed for intimate use, most likely as part of a tea or coffee service. Its graceful proportions, with measurements taken from spout to handle, reflect the period’s growing taste for exotic hot beverages and the luxurious tableware that accompanied them. Gilded surfaces not only protected the underlying metal but also conveyed wealth and refinement, catching candlelight during evening gatherings. Though the precise decorative motifs are not recorded here, such works typically combined elegant chasing and subtle engraving characteristic of Augsburg craftsmanship. Today this piece offers visitors a tangible connection to the early modern fascination with global trade goods and the artistry that transformed them into status symbols. Its survival in museum collections reminds us how silversmiths like Bruglocher elevated everyday rituals into moments of beauty and social display.