Design for Salt Dish No. 1700 1867 - 1868

Editor: So, this is "Design for Salt Dish No. 1700" from around 1867-1868, by Tiffany and Company. It’s a drawing and print on paper. I’m immediately struck by its technical nature; it feels like looking at a blueprint, but there are handwritten notes and that gorgeous script giving it so much character. What catches your eye? Curator: It's interesting, isn't it? This piece whispers of the industrial age, but its soul is rooted in craftsmanship. It reminds me of seeing my grandmother's sewing patterns, all those lines hinting at a final, beautiful form. See how the mechanical precision is offset by those flourishes of calligraphy? To me, that juxtaposition speaks to the era’s dance between mass production and artisanal pride. Almost like the designer couldn't bear to let go entirely of the human touch in a world speeding towards mechanization. Do you see how even the imperfections - smudges and annotations - make it uniquely charming? Editor: I do, actually! I hadn't thought about it that way, but now I see that those handwritten notes aren’t just practical, they add personality to what could have been a sterile technical drawing. What do you think the orange numbers scrawled at the bottom might signify? Curator: Aha! That, my friend, is the delicious mystery. It could be anything – a price point, a material code, or even an inside joke! The beauty is, we'll likely never know for sure. Isn't it fantastic how a simple utilitarian sketch can spark such flights of fancy? Editor: It really is. I was so focused on the technical side, I nearly missed all that personality. Thanks for opening my eyes to the more human elements. Curator: My pleasure! It's a reminder that even in the most seemingly rigid structures, a little bit of chaos – or is it artistry? – always finds a way to bloom.