Published: 2021-12-16

The Widow Christina Dentler’s amber “treasure.” A contribution to the history of the Gdańsk material culture in the second half of the 18th century

Ewa Barylewska-Szymańska
Kwartalnik Historii Kultury Materialnej
Section: Communiques
DOI https://doi.org/10.23858/KHKM69.2021.3.008

Abstract

Surviving objects made of amber in Gdańsk in the second half of the 18th century are scarce. Little is also known about the amber craftsmen of that time and their financial situation. That is why the archival information on the possessions and amber products belonging to the widow of the master amber craftsman, Johann Ernst Dentler, based on the inventory from 1777, is so valuable. This data, supplemented with the information on other “amber items” found in town houses in Gdańsk, shows the interest of the town’s inhabitants at that time in such products. Magnificent objects such as cabinets, caskets, and mirror frames were purchased mainly by connoisseurs, while small objects such as chess sets, boxes, clothes brushes with amber hafts, knobs for walking sticks, and writing instruments more often found their way to the houses of average Gdańsk residents.

Keywords:

Gdańsk, amber industry, 18th century, amber products, household goods inventory

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Citation rules

Barylewska-Szymańska, E. (2021). The Widow Christina Dentler’s amber “treasure.” A contribution to the history of the Gdańsk material culture in the second half of the 18th century. Kwartalnik Historii Kultury Materialnej, 69(3), 397–407. https://doi.org/10.23858/KHKM69.2021.3.008

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