Tureen tray (part of a set) 1755 - 1765

Curator: This gorgeous piece, residing here at the Met, is a tureen tray, crafted as part of a larger set. It hails from between 1755 and 1765 and is credited to Pierre Chapelle II. Editor: Well, isn't that a whimsical little daydream? It looks like something from a playful tea party, like a garden caught in a ceramic spell. The swirls, the delicate floral sprays... it's all so buoyant. Curator: Exactly! That’s Rococo for you. The tray's asymmetry and the lively embellishments are characteristic of the style which was en vogue then, intended to signal affluence and refined taste. I bet its display was quite the statement piece. Editor: Absolutely, it reeks of privilege, in a very aesthetically pleasing way of course. Knowing it’s a "tureen tray" grounds the fantasy slightly—were there any culinary concoctions that did justice to such a piece? Perhaps a fragrant vegetable soup or a frothy syllabub? It feels like serving gruel in such beauty would be an insult. Curator: Food history offers so much context for art like this, absolutely! Also, think of the artistry: it looks fragile, yet it needed to withstand constant use, at least occasionally, showcasing a mastery over ceramic material. Editor: Looking closely, there’s something charmingly imperfect about the painted details too. Like a fleeting sketch, as if the artist allowed spontaneity to take the lead, or maybe that’s just age doing its thing... Curator: More likely a touch of artistic expression, wouldn’t you agree? That handcrafted essence sets it apart from mass produced counterparts of the period. It's a testament to both its time and the individual vision behind it. Editor: Makes one wonder who commissioned it and where it lived and feasted! Imagining all the conversations and happenings around it makes it somehow…alive, even centuries later. Curator: A thought to cherish. May we remember objects like this hold narratives far deeper than surface aesthetics reveal! Editor: Indeed, and as it lingers, that fancy platter sure gave our own conversation some flavor!