Cup c. 1933

Editor: This small object, titled "Cup" by Tallmayer and residing at the Harvard Art Museums, strikes me with its muted exterior contrasting that bold blue interior. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This cup, its materials, and how it was made are interesting. The contrast of the dull metal exterior with the bright blue interior asks us to consider the cup's function and value. Was it purely utilitarian, or intended as a luxury object? Consider the labor involved in its creation. Editor: So, by looking at the materials and making, we can better understand its social role? Curator: Exactly. The cup becomes a lens through which we can examine production, consumption, and even class. The ivory handle, if truly ivory, adds another layer to this analysis, referencing trade networks and the exploitation of resources. Editor: That reframing of a simple cup as a complex social object is fascinating! Curator: Indeed, focusing on materiality reveals much beyond simple aesthetics.