Sugar Bowl by Thomas Danforth, III

Artwork details

Medium
metal
Dimensions
H. 3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm)
Location
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Copyright
Public Domain

Tags

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neoclacissism

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metal

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stoneware

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united-states

About this artwork

This sugar bowl, made by Thomas Danforth III, presents a study in simple elegance through form and materiality. Its primary visual impact lies in the smooth, reflective surface of the metal, which catches and plays with light, emphasizing its symmetrical form. The bowl is structured in three distinct sections: a wide, stable base, a gently curved body, and a domed lid, each contributing to an overall sense of balanced proportion. The bowl’s structure engages with broader artistic and philosophical concerns. The polished surface and meticulous construction, for example, reflect a period emphasis on order and refinement. The bowl can be interpreted through semiotics, where its material signifies luxury and its form suggests containment and control. Ultimately, it invites ongoing reflection on the values of simplicity, functionality, and the cultural meanings we invest in everyday objects.

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