Pair of Wine Ewers c. 1740

Curator: These gleaming silver forms at the Art Institute of Chicago are a pair of wine ewers dating from around 1740. Aren't they splendid? Editor: Splendid indeed! There's a formality, of course, but they also feel rather celebratory. Imagine them catching the light, pouring wine at some extravagant feast. Almost decadent, right? Curator: Exactly! That's the Baroque spirit. Consider the detail, how it’s laid into the repoussé—the dense floral scrollwork, the ornate handles, even those pineapple finials on the lids. All of this speaks to an aristocratic lifestyle, a world of luxury. Editor: Absolutely. From a purely formal perspective, the curvilinear shapes, particularly the exaggerated S-curve of the handles, offer visual play to balance all of the detail laid on to them. This creates an almost rhythmic movement despite them standing still, which to me evokes the sense of a jubilant ceremony. Curator: Yes, and there's an interesting asymmetry at play as well. They're not quite identical, are they? This avoids what would be boringly predictable for this type of piece, injecting each with its own sense of personality, wouldn't you say? Editor: Very perceptive. Though crafted in similar style, the unique design of the embellishments breaks symmetry; they don't match. Perhaps the maker or owner, preferred some visual play within the design? Curator: Perhaps! They really are more than just functional objects, they are almost miniature sculptures meant to elevate the act of drinking into an art form. Can you just imagine using these? Editor: The materiality, of course, the reflective silver, enhances the sense of preciousness and spectacle. They elevate the mundane! Each curve and detail tells a silent story about craftsmanship, artistic vision, and even the enjoyment of fine wines, doesn’t it? Curator: Precisely. For me, looking at these makes me feel oddly… transported, almost yearning to return to a historical event I wasn't there for. So what's your big takeaway, given all of these observations? Editor: These ewers stand as glittering testaments to a specific time and a taste. A time that cherished the pleasure and artistry inherent in the simplest of rituals. The ewer isn’t merely functional. But it speaks on its own.