A Vanitas Still Life A Vanitas: A silver covered Jar, a Skull, a Medal, a wooden Bowl, Coins and a string of Pearls on a Table draped with a red Cloth

Roestraten was one of the most successful Dutch painters working in England, moving to London in the 1660s and remaining there until his death. Though his painting remained characteristically Dutch, his success was perhaps largely dependant on his ability to portray silver.

The Restoration in England was accompanied by a resurgence in the manufacture of silver which had been heavily depleted since 1625 to help finance the Royal coffers in England, and silverware became particularly associated with court gifts as well as a fashionable status symbol. The present work includes a covered jar which, together with a silver ginger jar, a gold goblet and cover, a nautilus cup and a silver candlestick is among a group of recurring objects which must have been part of the artist's studio props; see, for instance, Still Life with a Chinese Tea service, in the Gemäldegalerie, Berlin; Still Life with a gilt Tobacco Jar, a Jewelry Box and other Objects, sold at Christie's, Amsterdam, May 18, 1988, lot 100; and Still Life with Vase, with André Merchie, Kortrijk, Belgium, 1986.