Construyendo la distinción. Discursos y apariencias del artesanado platero a finales del Antiguo Régimen

The act of distinguishing oneself is a common practice in any complex society, where difference and hierarchy serve as regulatory bases. Focusing on the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, this article examines the distinctive discourses of silversmith artisans, whether through individual or group initiatives, as a professional group of seemingly higher social standing. Using a wide range of documentary sources, from legal proceedings to personal wardrobes, this perspective applies a social approach to a subject rooted in cultural history, as these discourses must be evaluated in terms of their societal acceptance.