Oval salver 1753 - 1755

Editor: Here we have an Oval Salver, crafted from silver around 1753-1755 by Johann Martin Satzger I. It’s currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I'm immediately struck by how incredibly ornate it is – the detail seems almost overwhelming. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: Overwhelming, yes, in the best possible way! Think of it like this: it's pure Baroque exuberance translated into silver. Each swirl and flourish is a tiny celebration, a rebellion against restraint. Look at how the light dances across those surfaces – almost alive, wouldn't you say? Do you notice any repeating patterns? Editor: Now that you mention it, I see the repeating floral motifs along the rim and base. But beyond decoration, what purpose did it serve? Curator: Aha, a crucial question! Salvers like these were all about display, signalling wealth and taste. Imagine this piece laden with cakes or fruit at a fancy gathering. I suspect, too, that they served as a mirror, both literally reflecting precious things, and metaphorically communicating refined style and societal status. Does that alter your perception? Editor: Absolutely! It shifts the piece from a purely aesthetic object to a social signifier, almost like wearable art. Curator: Exactly. And each little detail tells a story, humming with the hopes and dreams of its era. Doesn't that change everything? Editor: It certainly does. I'll never look at a silver platter the same way again. Curator: Wonderful! Art has worked its little miracle on you today.