Mustard pot 1777 - 1778

Editor: Here we have Pierre-Nicolas Sommé’s "Mustard Pot," crafted around 1777 or 1778. It's silver, and the piece strikes me as incredibly opulent. What is your reading of it? Curator: Opulent is the word! For me, it whispers stories of powdered wigs, whispered secrets, and lavish feasts bathed in candlelight. That reflective silver – does it not remind you of a moonlit dream? But beyond the aesthetic allure, notice how Sommé plays with form. It is a paradox of heavy, dense silver shaped to look almost delicate. And the lion paw feet! What does that animalistic touch convey to you? Editor: It seems almost playful, that the same pot might hold mustard one day, and perhaps a rare spice the next, hidden away, only to appear for an important occasion! It’s grand, but also domestic. Curator: Precisely. It’s this blend of grandeur and intimacy that’s so fascinating. Imagine the craftsman meticulously shaping each detail. It begs us to slow down, and observe what artistry existed then, what craftsmanship has become today. Don’t you find a world of wonder packed into what could otherwise be perceived as one posh condiment container? Editor: It makes me realize how much these objects meant to people – far more than their functional purpose! I won't look at the silverware drawer the same way again. Curator: Nor I. Thank you for highlighting these unique details. It allows me to see the artistry of this “simple” mustard pot from an inspired perspective.