Plate c. 1807

Editor: Here we have William Sumner’s “Plate,” made around 1807. It’s crafted from silver, which gives it this striking, almost ethereal quality. What particularly strikes me is how it straddles this line between functional object and artistic statement. What are your initial thoughts? Curator: The material itself, silver, speaks volumes about the societal structures of the time. Think about where Sumner, the artisan, sourced the raw materials and who had the resources to purchase such a luxury. Classicism's influence points to the tastes and aspirations of the burgeoning bourgeoisie. Who was laboring to bring the silver out of the earth? How were these raw materials transported and distributed? These factors contribute to a more profound appreciation of its physical existence. Editor: So, the material's journey and accessibility inform our understanding? Curator: Absolutely. And beyond its function, consider the craftsmanship, how the artisan shaped a common metal into something considered of high value. What social meanings do you see arising from the act of eating off silver? Editor: It definitely underscores status and luxury. It makes you wonder about the contrast between those who owned these plates and those who produced or mined the raw materials. It prompts consideration about the lives of those who labored in comparison to the privileged experience it symbolizes. Curator: Exactly! Examining pieces like this, forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about power, labor, and consumption and encourages us to reconsider aesthetic preferences based on class. It shows the interconnection between artistry and the exploitation of resources and labor. Editor: I never considered how something as simple as a plate could reveal such complex social narratives. Curator: Materiality offers us insight far beyond surface aesthetics. We learned a lot from something that we eat off!