Jewish Goldsmiths in Early Modern Prague: A Paper on Immigration, Labour Mobility, and Socio Economic Relations in 16th-Century Prague Jewish Society
Jewish Goldsmiths in Early Modern Prague: A Paper on Immigration, Labour Mobility, and Socio Economic Relations in 16th-Century Prague Jewish Society

Summary/Abstract: This paper focuses on the topic of Jewish goldsmiths in early modern Prague who constituted a small but highly specialized professional group of artisans in the local Jewish society. The obvious prerequisite for practising such a trade was not only knowledge of metal processing, fine craftsmanship, and refined aesthetics, but also connections and close contacts with suppliers of precious metals and gems, and with wealthy clients who could acquire such jewellery and other luxury goldsmith products. The study seeks to provide a comprehensive view of the goldsmith’s trade in Prague during the 16th century. It describes the legal conditions under which guild-organized Christians could practise goldsmithing, and compares them with the legislative pre-requisites under which Jews were allowed to engage in this profession. Attention is also paid to the widespread participation of Jewish and Christian goldsmiths in financial transactions and other credit transactions in that period. At the same time, however, the study seeks to capture the broader cultural and social framework of the lives of Jewish goldsmiths in the Prague metropolis, which was shaped not only by solely professional, financial and business relationships, but also by other personal contacts both within their own community and in various Christian social strata. Based on the observations of the lives of several prominent Jewish goldsmiths who worked in Prague during the 16th century and especially during the Rudolphine period, it tries to determine whether they were long-term residents or newcomers from other countries. It also examines their involvement in the Prague Jewish community, their property status, and their possible further involvement in the administration of the local community. All this in the context of immigration, which affected Prague after the middle of the 16th century and to a large extent impacted the composition of its population.

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