Pair of casters 1700 - 1701

Editor: Here we have a pair of casters, crafted from silver by Joseph Ward between 1700 and 1701. They're really quite small and intricate; I find myself wondering, what do these objects whisper about the era they come from? Curator: Ah, "whisper" is the perfect word. Silver, especially during the Baroque era, wasn’t just a material, it was a potent signifier. The repetitive, almost floral piercings create a rhythm, don't you think? Almost musical, echoing the elaborate court life. Editor: Definitely a visual rhythm. I wonder about the owners – were they trying to say something about themselves? Curator: Undoubtedly! Owning such fine objects displayed wealth, taste, and belonging to a certain social stratum. The casters themselves would have held powdered spices - highly valued commodities. Notice how the silver reflects light? Editor: Yes, they seem almost luminous. Does the shape itself carry a significance? Curator: Precisely! The bell-like shape of the pierced top recalls ecclesiastical forms, suggesting a kind of sacredness afforded to dining and domestic rituals. Food wasn't merely sustenance, it was performance. Think about the symbolic weight of salt or sugar during this time – flavors that could transform not only the dish but also social standing. Editor: So these objects, while seemingly simple, speak to a larger cultural narrative. It is kind of interesting to consider this an image from the 18th century through a cultural memory from decorative objects! Curator: Precisely, and even now they retain their original charm and function. Each intricate detail reveals an object whose historical roots have the power to evoke the social, cultural, and spiritual atmosphere of its own time and our present moment.