Goblet 19th century

Editor: Here we have a stunning "Goblet" from the 19th century, created by Franchi and Son, held at the Met. The use of glass, ceramic and brass gives it a sort of delicate yet regal feel. The base seems to be turtles? What do you make of this piece? Curator: It's certainly an object meant for display, isn't it? Looking at the incorporation of turtles – creatures associated with longevity and stability – alongside such luxurious materials, I see a deliberate crafting of status. It's not merely about drinking; it’s about demonstrating wealth and perhaps aspiration for a long and stable lineage. Do you think the location where it was produced and displayed would influence our interpreation? Editor: Definitely, knowing it's at the Met and thinking about its original display would shape my understanding. It's easy to see it as a status symbol within a certain social setting. The way you describe lineage really changes things, though. It sounds political? Curator: It is political, but perhaps not in the contemporary sense we might immediately think of. The act of displaying wealth and taste *is* a political statement. Think of the rise of industrial wealth in the 19th century. Objects like this goblet helped establish and legitimize the nouveau riche within the established social hierarchy. Editor: So it’s more than just pretty; it's functioning within a whole network of social meanings. Curator: Precisely. Consider who was commissioned objects like this. Whose stories were elevated and remembered? And what narratives get privileged in museum spaces even now? That goblet sparks interesting questions. Editor: I’m really glad you brought up thinking about who was being remembered through decorative pieces such as this goblet, which changes the context quite a lot for me.