Tea Cannister 1881 - 1895

Curator: Ah yes, the "Tea Cannister" by Gorham Manufacturing Company. Circa 1881-1895. Editor: It’s so striking, the way the silver flowers and leaves contrast against the warm, textured copper of the canister. What can you tell me about this piece from a material perspective? Curator: What strikes me is how the piece blurs the line between industrial production and handcrafted art. Gorham was a major manufacturer. How does this object function within the late 19th-century context of industrial capitalism? It prompts us to consider labor; who made this, and under what conditions? Editor: So, thinking about the 'who' and the 'how,' can we say that this challenges conventional distinctions between 'art' and 'craft'? It seems like the canister’s function as an object for tea storage is secondary to its aesthetic qualities. Curator: Precisely. The choice of materials—silver, copper, and potentially ceramic—also tells a story. Silver was often associated with luxury and status. Do these materials elevate a commonplace item? It provokes a debate about consumption; who had access to such goods? The canister becomes more than just a container, it signifies something greater. Editor: Thinking about it now, that contrasts nicely with how we might think of tea canisters nowadays, perhaps things of a disposable culture, a very 'use and abuse' dynamic with commodities. That raises another interesting discussion point. How was such an art piece consumed then? Curator: That's key. Unlike, say, a painting intended for gallery display, a tea canister occupies a more domestic space, intended for repeated interaction. It merges utility with aesthetic consideration. Editor: So, looking at it from a materialist view gives this canister so much to discuss, it's a cultural artifact rather than just a pretty decorative object. It shifts my focus towards socio-economic and labour perspectives that you might normally overlook. Curator: Absolutely! Considering materiality gives way to a complex social picture embedded in even seemingly simple decorative arts objects.