Entree Dish with Cover from the Hood Service 1806 - 1807

Editor: So, here we have a dazzling silver entrée dish with a cover, dating from 1806-1807, crafted by Paul Storr. It’s incredibly ornate – the detailing is captivating! It feels very… celebratory. What do you see when you look at it? Curator: Celebratory is a fantastic word for it! This piece positively gleams with pride. Imagine the candlelight dancing across its surface. The Hood Service entree dish isn’t merely a vessel; it’s a miniature monument, wouldn’t you say? Notice the anchor and eagle – blatant symbols of naval prowess. It’s not-so-subtly declaring: "We won!" This dish is pure visual swagger. Editor: Swagger, definitely! I hadn't considered the political undertones so explicitly. Why commission something so elaborate just for food? Curator: Ah, but it’s more than "just food," isn’t it? It's about displaying status, celebrating victory. Fine craftsmanship says "we have taste, we have wealth, and, most importantly, we have conquered!" Think of the era: England, flexing its naval muscles on the world stage. This dish is an edible manifestation of empire. It begs the question, "If your empire were an entrée, what would it be?" Editor: I love that question! I guess that dishes up a whole new way to consider what luxury and patriotism looked like then. And honestly, still does to some extent now. Thanks! Curator: Absolutely. Now you're cooking! It’s easy to forget the stories objects like these can tell, gleaming as they are, until we stop and ask, "What exactly are you trying to tell me?" That's half the fun, isn't it?