Cup 1764 - 1775

Here we see a cup made by Joseph Loring out of silver. The cup exhibits a fascinating interplay between form and texture. Its cylindrical shape, with clean lines and a simple handle, presents an image of classical elegance. This is sharply contrasted by the mottled, almost organic texture across the surface of the silver. The texture is particularly intriguing as it invites questions about the piece’s making. What does the contrast between the cup’s shape and surface texture tell us? Could the seemingly simple form of the cup conceal a deeper investigation into materiality and the sensory experience of interacting with everyday objects? It disrupts any singular reading of the object. Consider how the cup challenges conventional ideas about the fixed nature of materials and form. It serves as a constant site for re-evaluation.