Standing cup 1630 - 1899

Editor: This gorgeous, glimmering object is a Standing Cup, made sometime between 1630 and 1899. It’s currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and it's made of gold and glass. Wow, the delicacy of it strikes me! The baroque flourishes paired with such crystalline transparency feel almost ethereal. What catches your eye, what do you make of a piece like this? Curator: Ethereal is a fantastic word! It truly is like holding light itself. The Standing Cup, especially one crafted during this period, speaks to so much – power, artistry, and of course, indulgence! Imagine the hands that have held it, the stories it could tell after witnessing countless banquets. It’s less about pure function and more about theatre, isn't it? How does that emphasis strike you? Editor: Theatre! Absolutely! I can almost picture it gleaming under candlelight. I hadn’t really considered it as having a performative element, like it’s not just *for* something, it’s meant to be *seen*. Is that a hallmark of Baroque decorative art? Curator: Precisely! Baroque isn’t shy. Everything is amplified: the emotions, the drama, the sheer opulent skill on display. Notice the intricate carving and how the gold enhances the glass—it elevates something commonplace into an object worthy of a king’s table, or at least someone who wishes they were a king! Do you think it succeeds in that elevation? Editor: Oh, undoubtedly! Before, I was caught up in the details, but you're right; it’s about making a statement. It’s pure aspiration in decorative form. Curator: Exactly! These objects allow us to glimpse into a world where art wasn’t just observed, but actively participated in, flavoring the rituals of daily life with beauty. And hopefully sparking conversations centuries later, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Definitely. Thanks to you, I see a story and a performance, not just a pretty cup. It’s like I’ve been given a backstage pass to a different time.