Quart Measure 1835

Editor: This is "Quart Measure," made in 1835 by Boardman and Hart. It resides here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is literally just... a metal jug! It's beautiful, in its simplicity, though. I'm wondering how such a utilitarian object ended up in a museum! How would you interpret this piece? Curator: A utilitarian object, certainly, but consider the social context. Measuring devices like this one were crucial for commerce in the 19th century. Standardized measures ensured fair trade and economic stability. The presence of Boardman and Hart’s Quart Measure in the Met speaks to the burgeoning industrial era, and its integration into daily life. Does that shift your perspective? Editor: It does. So it's not just about the jug itself, but also what it represents: a shift towards standardization and industrialization. Was this type of piece considered art at the time, or is it just through a contemporary lens that it can be appreciated like this? Curator: Excellent question! At the time, it was likely viewed as a well-crafted, functional item. However, museums shape taste. Displaying it elevates its status and invites us to reflect on the design, the craftsmanship, and the object's role in shaping American society. The very act of placing it here transforms it into a historical artifact, laden with cultural significance. Editor: I see what you mean. It's almost like the museum is recontextualizing the jug. It wasn’t art then, but it is now because we’re making it art. Curator: Precisely! The power of institutions to shape meaning. I think looking at even simple forms provides such fertile grounds to ask questions about the public roles of art. Editor: That's fascinating. I never thought a simple quart measure could have so much to say about history and culture! Thank you!