Plate 1756 - 1757

Editor: Here we have a silver plate created between 1756 and 1757 by Nicolas-Clément Valliéres. It’s currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. What strikes me immediately is how restrained and elegant it is for Rococo, which I usually associate with over-the-top decoration. What stands out to you? Curator: I am interested in how seemingly simple forms like this plate carry echoes of meaning far beyond their utilitarian purpose. Consider the symbolism embedded within its curves. The Rococo period itself was a reaction to the rigidity of the Baroque, embracing asymmetry and fluidity. How does this departure reflect shifts in societal values? Editor: I see that contrast. This plate definitely has curves, but it doesn't have the same playful asymmetry you see in paintings from the time. It seems more controlled. Curator: Exactly. Its form might hint at larger philosophical movements that privileged sensory experience and emotional expression. The scalloped edge, the way the light reflects on the silver... These elements speak to a culture that prized beauty and refinement. What emotions does the form evoke in you? Editor: It makes me think about formal dinners, elaborate table settings… a sense of tradition and status. Curator: Precisely. Even a simple plate serves as a cultural artifact. The symmetry, despite its Rococo roots, reflects stability, order within apparent freedom. Its gentle form also symbolizes offering and receptivity. Are those elements, of tradition and status, things you find interesting, or that you personally react against? Editor: That’s really fascinating! I never thought about a plate embodying so many ideas. Thinking about it as a symbol really changes my perspective. Curator: Indeed. Everyday objects are loaded with encoded values and historical meanings. The form has much more to say.