Tureen with cover and liner 1775 - 1776

This Tureen, with its cover and liner, was made of solid silver by Jacques-Nicolas Roettiers in eighteenth-century France. A tureen is a large serving dish, and silver was very much the material of choice for luxury goods at this time. Think about the qualities of silver: its sheen, its resistance to tarnish, and the way it feels cool to the touch. These characteristics would have been highly prized. But beyond that, consider the sheer labor involved in raising and chasing such a complicated form, with all its intricate details. The silversmith would have needed a deep understanding of metallurgy, plus an arsenal of specialized tools. This level of skill took years to acquire, and would have been a source of social distinction in its own right. This tureen is about far more than just keeping the soup warm; it speaks volumes about power, wealth, and the expertise necessary to make such an impressive object. It is a potent reminder that even the most functional items can be powerful status symbols.