Tray 1730 - 1731

Editor: This is John White's silver tray, created around the late 17th to early 18th century. I find it interesting how something functional can also be artful, given its size and craftsmanship. What can you tell me about the historical context of its making? Curator: Let’s consider the material itself: silver. Who had access to it? The labor required to mine, refine, and then craft this tray speaks volumes about the economic structures of the time. This wasn't merely a tray; it was a display of wealth and power, wouldn't you agree? Editor: I never thought about it that way; it is a perspective shift. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, understanding art through its material conditions reveals a lot about the society that produced it.