Bottom stand 1750 - 1780

This Bottom stand artwork, of unknown date and authorship, now resides at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Its clear glass speaks to its intended audience, one that would have the means to acquire such luxury items. The stand, with its delicate cups, embodies the social rituals of a particular class, likely intended for elaborate dinner parties, balls, and debutante celebrations. It’s a cultural artifact of social hierarchies and the gendered expectations of the time. Serving desserts, offering drinks, and engaging in polite conversation were ways of expressing refinement and status. This piece echoes the emotional landscape of those gatherings, the aspirations and anxieties, the displays of wealth, and the subtle negotiations of power that were part of social life. Although visually appealing, this object can also be viewed as a symbol of social stratification. It reminds us of the complex dynamics that shape our understanding of beauty, value, and social identity.