Dish 1787 - 1788

This Dish was crafted by Pierre-Joseph Dehanne. It resides within the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The dish captivates with its smooth, silvery surface and elongated oval form. Three spherical feet provide a minimal base, elevating the dish and creating a subtle play of light and shadow beneath. The engraved inscription "Decatur" encircled by a delicate wreath, acts as a focal point, disrupting the otherwise unbroken sheen of the metal. Consider how the unadorned shape and polished material speak to the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and order, yet, simultaneously, the personal inscription suggests a narrative element, hinting at human stories within the grand sweep of history. The dish thus exists in a tension between pure form and cultural sign. Note how the simple elegance of the dish, devoid of excessive ornamentation, embodies a restrained aesthetic. It invites us to reflect on how such functional objects become imbued with layers of meaning.