Waiter 1723 - 1724

Curator: At Harvard Art Museums, we find Jonathan Newton's piece, simply called, "Waiter." It is silver, and small—about 5 1/2 inches square. Editor: It is lovely and minimal. There is a meditative quality in the muted silver, so understated. Curator: Precisely. Silver pieces like this signaled more than just wealth; they shaped social rituals. Consider how serving and presentation reinforced class structures. Editor: The title itself—"Waiter"—feels loaded. It's a direct reference to labor, and the power dynamics inherent in service, a sort of quiet indictment. Curator: Silverware’s gleam masked the labor required to mine, craft, and maintain it, reflecting the era’s colonial exploitation. Editor: Seeing it through that lens highlights its role in upholding inequalities. It's a stark reminder of history's unacknowledged costs. Curator: Indeed, viewing "Waiter" pushes us to question the seemingly neutral objects that perpetuate social hierarchies. Editor: This has shifted my perspective. I now see it as a poignant symbol of service, class, and hidden histories.