Monteith 1703

Curator: Let’s turn our attention to this exquisite example of Baroque metalwork: Thomas Bolton’s “Monteith,” crafted in 1703. It’s a silver vessel currently residing here at the Art Institute of Chicago. Editor: Oh, wow! It gives off serious Game of Thrones vibes, all regal and imposing. That scalloped rim almost looks like a crown! I want to fill it with mead! Curator: Indeed. The monteith was specifically designed for chilling glasses—particularly wine glasses—during and after meals. Imagine it filled with ice and water on a wealthy family’s dining table. Notice the lion's-head handles? That speaks to a certain social class and desire for outward presentation. Editor: So, functional art as social signifier! I love it. You know, for something made of cold, hard silver, it’s surprisingly... alive. The vertical fluting almost vibrates. And that elaborate cartouche in the middle, does it contain the coat of arms from the family it was commissioned for? Curator: Precisely. That’s where identity politics and the display of wealth converge so fascinatingly in objects like this. The Baroque period, with its emphasis on ornamentation, often reflected specific social hierarchies and power structures. Even something seemingly innocuous as the design and size of the vessel reflects particular class interests. Editor: It is very impressive. The craftsmanship is stunning, every little detail—the cherubic figure, the decorative moldings at the top…you could get lost examining it. Is this a purely European form? Curator: Yes, this specific type of bowl flourished in England. Though one could trace some influences back to earlier continental forms, this particular combination of the scalloped rim for glass hanging and bold ornamentation makes it quite distinct to late 17th- and early 18th-century Britain. A vessel filled with stories, isn’t it? Editor: Absolutely. And speaking of stories, I am thinking what stories would be told over drinks while reaching in this silver "crown" for the cooled glass. Curator: So, through its material presence, cultural function, and embedded symbolic language, the "Monteith" invites questions about class, identity, and the intersection between art and everyday life. Editor: Totally. I will never look at fancy silverware the same way again. Thanks for blowing my mind with this regal chiller!