Meat Dish 1811 - 1812

Editor: This is Thomas Robins' "Meat Dish," a silver platter. It appears quite heavy and solid. The craftsmanship seems meticulous. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Considering its function, we have to think about the social context of its use. Who would have been eating off it? How does the material, silver, reflect wealth and status? Editor: So it’s not just about the aesthetics but also about the power dynamics inherent in who gets to use such a dish? Curator: Exactly! The labor involved in producing the silver, the means of acquiring it – all these factors are embedded in the object. Editor: I never thought about a platter having so much to say about society. Curator: Materiality can unlock a wealth of social history if we only look close enough.