Coaster 1832 - 1839

Curator: Standing before us is a seemingly simple object titled "Coaster," dating back to between 1832 and 1839. It currently resides here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: There's a quiet austerity to it. The smooth, reflective surface and the perfect symmetry create a certain visual calmness. Curator: Indeed. From a materialist perspective, it's crucial to understand the means of production and social context surrounding the creation of such an object. This "Coaster" likely represents domestic life and the emerging material culture of 19th-century America. Its very existence suggests particular social habits around eating or drinking. Editor: Focusing on formal elements, the simplicity of the object is deceptive. The circular form, those concentric bands creating a structured and appealing design. And observe how light plays across the metal's surface! Semiotics suggest the circular form can represent eternity, or perhaps, something as simple as wholeness. Curator: Precisely! What does it mean to have such carefully wrought craftsmanship applied to a 'coaster', a common household object? Was it luxury for the rising middle class? Was its existence to further class divisions? The production of the object gives insights to this historical context. Editor: And the materiality, too. The artist seems interested in the contrast of the smooth surfaces with minor pitting. You can find, reflected, within this "Coaster" subtle gestures about form, which is what invites prolonged, meditative viewing. The tarnishing of age, rather than diminishing the piece, accentuates the passage of time and transformation through elemental exposure. Curator: That patina is an artifact of its past existence. Think about who handled it, the kind of liquids it has safeguarded. We can investigate the craftsmanship employed versus its industrial manufacture counterparts for deeper meanings in the Coaster's significance. Editor: Seeing its stark simple circular construction really provokes contemplation on shape itself, even something so humble. Curator: In this piece, the material and form give insight into a place in the United States long ago. Editor: Yes, allowing the viewer to enjoy a quiet, understated meditation.