Dish 1723 - 1724

This silver dish was crafted by Joseph Le Barbier, a French silversmith active in the 18th century. The dish, an exercise in refined geometry, offers a tactile and visually stimulating experience through its play of light and shadow. Its octagonal shape, precise and symmetrical, is softened by the undulating, fan-like fluting that encircles the inner rim. Note how this textured border contrasts with the smooth, reflective surface of the dish's center, creating a dynamic interplay between the linear and the curvilinear. This tension between stark geometry and fluid texture is a key element in decoding the dish's appeal. The ridges catch the light, casting delicate shadows that emphasize the dish's form. In this period, the rise of rationalism was influencing the decorative arts. Yet, the hand-crafted nature of the fluting introduces an element of the irregular. This dish is not merely functional but acts as a reflector of cultural values about order, luxury and craftsmanship.