Cup 1813 - 1830

This is a silver cup made by Moses Morse, now housed at the Art Institute of Chicago. The cup gleams with a cool, metallic light. Its smooth, reflective surface and symmetrical form give it an air of formal elegance. The cup's structure is defined by clear geometric relationships. Note how the curved body rises from a stepped circular base. Two handles mirror each other on either side. This symmetry contributes to the cup's sense of balance. The interplay of curves and lines emphasizes the cup’s volume, as well as the precision of its craftsmanship. The cup invites us to reflect on the semiotics of objects. Consider its function as a vessel, a container. It’s a signifier of ritual and social interaction. The cup also symbolizes wealth and status, especially in the early 19th century when this piece was made. Its form, from the reflective surface to its balanced composition, engages with ideas of value and meaning.