Wine cistern 1685 - 1715

Curator: Here we have an extraordinary object from between 1685 and 1715, a baroque wine cistern made in the De Metaale Pot Factory. It's crafted from ceramic, a perfect example of decorative art now residing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: Oh, my! It strikes me as both grand and a little… severe? All those precise geometric forms, stark contrasts, even the tiny figures seem frozen in some sort of formal dance. A far cry from the Dionysian revelry one might associate with wine! Curator: Indeed. The black and white palette lends an austere feel, heightening the overall formality. Note the precise symmetrical arrangement and the meticulous detail. The floral motifs and the depiction of human figures across the exterior function almost as textual devices. We are meant to "read" this object, not just appreciate it as a vessel. Editor: Read it, eh? The little lion paw feet are kind of adorable, though. Almost like it’s trying to break free from its own seriousness. I imagine it perched on a long mahogany table during a fancy banquet, trying not to spill, desperately hoping to loosen the conversation around it with an ironic glance at its little paws. Curator: Precisely, this blend of playfulness and restraint is quintessential Baroque. There is always that tension between ornamentation and underlying structure. Editor: It makes you wonder who it was made for, and what stories those silent little figures witnessed! You know, it’s tempting to imbue them with a bit of mischievous agency—imagining the cistern orchestrating subtle mishaps just to stir things up at dull parties! Curator: A delightful projection. Perhaps such subjective response enlivens our connection to this intriguing piece of history. It underscores the complex relationship between art object, cultural context, and individual interpretation. Editor: Exactly. I think I love the idea of this old cistern fostering tiny revolutions and little joyful ruptures through history. Makes me want to throw a party for it!