Thee en koffieservies van J.D. Preuyt (1801-1887), veehouder en burgemeester van Geervliet, aan hem geschonken voor zijn jubileum in 1873. 1859 - 1873

Editor: Right now we’re looking at a silver tea and coffee service, created between 1859 and 1873. It was gifted to J.D. Preuyt, a farmer and mayor, for his jubilee. The craftsmanship is just incredible. How does materiality inform the meaning of this piece, in your opinion? Curator: Let’s consider the silver itself. It signifies wealth and status, of course, but also reflects the economic realities of 19th-century Dutch society. This wasn’t just about displaying art; it was about showcasing industrial capability and trade networks. Silver mining, processing, the labour involved in shaping this set, and its presentation – these are all parts of the story. Editor: So, it's not simply about aesthetic beauty but more about the socio-economic conditions that enabled its creation? Curator: Precisely. Think about the access to materials required, the specialization of labour in workshops, and the celebratory gifting culture connected to figures of power, which is linked to networks of consumption and trade. Consider the ceramic elements alongside the silver. Each material tells a different story of extraction, production, and circulation. Who mined the silver? Who fired the ceramics? How did those labourers benefit from its use by a prominent official? Editor: That perspective really opens it up. I was initially focused on the aesthetic qualities but now I am appreciating the complex network behind the materials and manufacturing. Curator: Exactly! By exploring materiality, we begin to move beyond formalist readings and instead contextualize art within material culture. Hopefully this encourages a richer understanding. Editor: It certainly does. I'll never look at a silver teapot the same way again! Curator: Me neither!