Kattokehrä

The Creation of the Covered Ewer

The Covered ewer was crafted by Adam Van Vianen in 1614. This lidded ewer emerged during the Dutch Golden Age, a period of significant artistic production in the Netherlands. The object is a product of the auricular style, a method characterized by undulating, organic forms that mimic fleshy or liquid shapes. This specific piece also aligns with Mannerist traditions, blending structured classical elements with a more restless, decorative energy.

Adam Van Vianen worked as a silversmith and medallist, focusing on the manipulation of precious metals. The creation of this vessel involved raising the metal from a single sheet of silver. The artist used a variety of tools, including hammers, chisels, and punches, to achieve the final form. This process allowed for the development of the intricate, raised surface relief seen on the lid and body of the ewer.

Visual Composition and Symbolic Imagery

The vessel's silhouette is defined by an avian theme. The lid is sculpted into the shape of a bird's head, featuring a small spout at the top for pouring. Opposite this, the handle is formed into the likeness of a bird's tail. These anatomical elements create a sense of movement across the silver-gilt surface. On the interior of the ewer, two lizards or salamanders are depicted crawling along the liner. These figures emerge from a viscous mass where animal and human forms appear to transition into one another.

The composition utilizes these shifting forms to suggest a state of constant motion. The undulating surfaces and the emergence of life from a thick, liquid-like substance relate to the concept of the primordial soup, or prima matera. This imagery connects the physical object to alchemical theories regarding the origins of life from non-living matter. The interplay between the solid metal and the fluid shapes creates a visual representation of biological emergence.

Technical Mastery and Precious Materials

The ewer is constructed from verguld zilver, or gilt silver. The entire body of the vessel, including the integrated handle and the base, was raised from a single sheet of silver. This method of construction avoids the use of joined parts, creating a continuous form that weighs 910 g.

The surface of the metal has been worked through chasing. Using a hammer, chisels, and punches, the artist manipulated the silver to create the undulating, organic forms characteristic of the auricular style. These techniques produce a variety of textures across the vessel, from the smooth, reflective surfaces of the body to the deep, relief-heavy details of the lid and the interior.

Dimensions and Physical Characteristics

The ewer measures 25 cm in height, 14 cm in width, and 9 cm in depth. It is constructed from a single sheet of silver that has been raised and shaped through chasing. The surface of the metal is finished with a gold-colored plating, known as verguld zilver, which covers the entire form. This material choice results in a highly reflective, luminous surface that responds to light through its undulating contours.

The object's physical structure includes a lid designed to resemble a bird's head, featuring a small spout at the top for pouring. The body of the vessel is smooth and reflective, while the handle is shaped to mimic a bird's tail. On the interior of the ewer, two small salamanders or lizards are chased into the metal. The base of the piece is flared, providing a stable foundation for the vertical form. The total weight of the object is 910 g.

Current Location and Museum Collection

The covered ewer is held within the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. It is cataloged under the object number BK-1976-75. This silver-gilt vessel remains a permanent part of the Rijksmuseum collection, situated in the Netherlands.

The museum's holdings include various works from the Dutch Golden Age. Other items associated with the artist's output include:

• Ewer and basin, 1614