Square salver 1730

Editor: Here we have a “Square Salver” made of silver in 1730 by David Willaume II, currently residing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's a gorgeous piece! I'm drawn to how the light reflects off its surface. What can you tell me about this salver from a material perspective? Curator: Well, the choice of silver is paramount. It's not just about aesthetic appeal. Consider the social implications. Silver, at this time, represented wealth and status. The process of acquiring the raw material, refining it, and the labor involved in crafting this Baroque piece speak volumes about the economic structures of the 18th century. How do you think the Baroque style influences our understanding of this piece's materiality and context? Editor: The Baroque style emphasizes ornamentation and intricacy. With silver, this becomes an exploration of how far one can manipulate a precious metal. What would a silversmith need to create a piece like this? Curator: Exactly. Silversmithing in the 18th century wasn't just a craft; it was an industry. We have to acknowledge the tools required—the hammers, the dies, the polishing equipment—and the workshops themselves, bustling with artisans and apprentices. What do you make of the decorative-art value? Editor: Knowing all this provides a richer context. It moves the object away from just being a decorative art piece. The Baroque period utilized various kinds of sculptures as decoration. How are these pieces like or unlike other sculptures? Curator: The "Square Salver" goes far beyond its aesthetic merit, doesn't it? It is about consumption, labour and materials. By tracing the object's creation, we get to see the network of the elite class in 1730. Thank you! Editor: Definitely. This changed the way I look at silver art. I hadn't considered it through such a lens!