Dinner pail with cover (Porte-dîner) 19th century

Editor: Here we have a "Dinner pail with cover," also known as "Porte-dîner," dating back to the 19th century, now residing at The Met. The craftsmanship seems simple and utilitarian. What secrets does it hold? Curator: Ah, this humble object! Imagine a life, now vanished, where taking your meal with you was a small ceremony. Notice the material; it’s metal, cold, and solid – but imagine it warmed, filled with stew, the steam carrying the scent of home through a bustling marketplace. Do you think the maker saw this as simply a container, or something more? Editor: It's beautiful in its simplicity. Perhaps a statement against extravagance, a focus on function. I guess this dinner pail is from the Bouvier Family? Curator: Indeed! Think of the artisan, Editor – likely a master of their trade, patiently hammering and shaping. The metal, it reflects not just light, but ambition, a quiet pride. A good meal deserves a good vessel, no? Does its starkness somehow make you think of our present time? Editor: I like how, instead of focusing on the dinner pail’s material value, you made me reflect on all the possible histories and meanings it represents! Curator: Every object whispers, my friend. One just needs to learn how to listen! To me, it evokes the quiet dignity of everyday life and makes me wonder about the people who held it and what dreams were stewing along with that dinner!