Légumiere (covered vegetable dish with presentation underplate) c. 1925

This is a vegetable serving dish, likely made in France in the early 20th century, and attributed to Valéry Bizouard. It's made from silver and perhaps ivory for the handles and lid knob. The metalworking processes involved here are complex. A silversmith would have employed raising, pressing, chasing, and polishing. The piece is not cast, but created by hammering the metal into its ultimate form, planishing it to create a flawless surface. Look closely, and you’ll notice the complex faceting and the subtle curves of the underplate. The silver has a cool luster, but also feels soft, almost like fabric. This Légumiere speaks to the social rituals of fine dining, of course. But consider also the amount of labor it embodies. The hours of handwork speak to a time when such luxury was available, and further, to the skilled traditions that elevate a metal basher to an artist. It’s a perfect example of how close looking can blur boundaries between design, craft, and fine art.