Small tazza (one of a pair, part of a set) 1851

Curator: Here we have a “Small Tazza, one of a pair, part of a set,” crafted by Asprey in 1851. It’s currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Made of metal and bronze. What's your initial reaction? Editor: It feels opulent, yet somehow restrained. The gold finish contrasted with those jewel-like green accents suggests fairy tale treasures, maybe something for a giant's feast! Curator: Consider the labor involved in crafting these, the casting of bronze and setting of jewels, against the backdrop of Victorian England, with its stark class divides and burgeoning industrial might. The consumption of such decorative objects signals an elite's access to both materials and skilled labor. Editor: Yes, exactly. You see this gleaming preciousness and wonder who polished it, whose hands knew every curve intimately before it landed here? Did they see it displayed in its golden glory, or just know the metal dust and repetitive movements? Curator: Precisely! The craftsmanship reflects not only aesthetic sensibilities but also the economic and social relations inherent in the production of luxury goods during that era. The question of the division of labor becomes crucial here: specialization of production tasks requires skill. Editor: The reflective symmetry of the design and embellishments—notice the swirling handles that feel almost protective, encircling the vessel... It makes me consider themes of self and societal expectations in the Victorian period. It is trying to portray the sense of ideal form. Curator: Form and content merge as technique mediates social value. Asprey’s materials and techniques indicate an ability to satisfy refined customers; those precious materials signal exclusivity, and those consumers possessed a cultural power shaping the creation of luxurious products like this. Editor: It leaves you pondering the contrasts... the coldness of the bronze against the implied warmth of candlelight reflected on the polished surfaces. Curator: Absolutely. These are potent visual symbols of class and taste. Editor: An indulgence, but perhaps one with stories etched into its very material. It makes you appreciate those small green malachite stones so much more.