Beaker 1757 - 1758

Editor: This is Jacques Besnier’s silver beaker, crafted around 1757 or 1758, and it's currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The intricate designs make me think of a formal garden…like a fancy tea party. What are your thoughts? Curator: A formal garden is a lovely observation! I see a piece of history whispering stories of its time. Can you imagine the hands that held it, the occasions it witnessed? I love the swirling patterns on the surface, too - each detail like a little memory. But tell me, what is most striking about its decorations? Is it, perhaps, the family crest? Editor: The crest does catch the eye! It seems to hint at wealth and lineage… it gives the beaker such an exclusive feel. And there's all this ornate ornamentation and imagery packed onto this relatively tiny chalice, Curator: Absolutely! Decorative arts during this period often reflected a desire to display status and taste. That swirling decorative style has all of the hallmarks of what we would call the Rococo period in France, defined by its light, curvilinear lines, and decorative asymmetry. It looks, in places, quite organic. Doesn't it bring to mind water? Or flames, perhaps? Editor: You're right; it's very fluid. I hadn’t thought of flames. Thinking of the artist…did this beaker adhere to established silver-making traditions, or did it break new ground? Curator: It builds on established techniques, I’d say, but also brings a personal touch – a kind of signature. Besnier was clearly a skilled silversmith working within the fashion of the period, yet he poured so much beauty into the tiniest element of this diminutive treasure. Editor: I see now, it's both timeless and of its time. This has been so insightful – thanks for sharing your perspective. Curator: And thank you! Art is always a dialogue, an invitation to see the world anew, together.