Plate 1761 - 1799

Editor: Here we have a silver plate, crafted by Frederick Bassett sometime between 1761 and 1799. It resides here at the Met. There’s something very stark and utilitarian about its design; it’s so perfectly circular. What strikes you most when you look at it? Curator: The beauty, paradoxically, lies in its functionality. Notice the subtle curvature and how it interacts with light, casting shadows that emphasize the concentric forms. Editor: So, you see elegance in the form following function? Curator: Precisely. Consider the material. The cool, reflective surface of the silver plays with ambient light, transforming with each viewing angle. It isn't merely a plate; it's a study of form, light, and reflection. Look closer, can you see how the light glints from the very faint concentric circles towards the edge? Editor: I do. The imperfections on the plate’s surface contrast with its perfect geometry and that tiny shift of texture really enlivens the simple composition. Curator: Indeed. Those small imperfections—evidence of use, perhaps, or the artisan’s touch—create texture and disrupt any sense of cold perfection. Editor: It’s almost meditative; finding details like that gives the piece character. I never expected to say that about a plate. Curator: By focusing on the plate's materiality, shape and lighting, we can find aesthetic interest, independent of any symbolic or cultural baggage. What are your closing thoughts on this art? Editor: This has highlighted how a shift in perspective—appreciating inherent material qualities and structural choices—can completely alter one’s view of an everyday object. Thank you for showing me new things!