Bowl with cover (Écuelle) 1752 - 1762

This bowl with cover, or ‘écuelle’, was made by Simon Bourguet, a Parisian silversmith active in the mid-18th century. It's made of solid silver, formed and decorated through techniques of hammering, casting, chasing, and engraving. Look closely, and you can see the incredible amount of labour involved. Silver is a soft, precious material. The bowl’s reflective surface is achieved through meticulous polishing, which is quite a contrast with the matte finish of the engraved details. Notice the cast handles: each is a unique miniature sculpture. The cover, topped with a fruit and flower finial, fits snugly, suggesting this was used to keep precious foods warm. Objects like this reflect the highly structured world of the luxury trades in 18th century France. Bourguet would have served a long apprenticeship, and operated within a strict guild system. The bowl isn't just beautiful, it's evidence of craft as a highly organized form of production. It challenges our ideas about art, labour, and value.