Chocolate pot 1718 - 1720

Curator: What a striking object! Esaias Busch the Third crafted this silver chocolate pot between 1718 and 1720, and it now lives here at the Met. It is truly an example of decorative art. Editor: It absolutely exudes elegance, doesn't it? All shimmering silver and dark, swirling wood...there is a certain quietude. It's not loud or flashy. More...reserved opulence. Curator: Exactly. Chocolate was very much a luxury item then, and the Baroque style suited this well, symbolizing abundance and power. What sort of imagery do you see woven into its design? Editor: Well, aside from the obvious symbols of wealth, those engraved cartouches on the body seem ripe for interpretation. Are those family crests, perhaps? Or maybe allegorical figures connected to trade routes, considering the origins of chocolate? I wonder if there's any connection with indigenous iconography… though probably adapted through a very colonial lens. Curator: Certainly likely. We can almost hear the rustle of silk gowns, the hushed whispers in gilded rooms as this pot is brought forth. Silver's reflective qualities are so key here, hinting at self-regard and status. Editor: It is fascinating how a simple vessel becomes a symbol. It's not just about holding liquid; it holds societal dreams, anxieties and, of course, historical narratives, often tangled and messy. This one whispers of fortunes built and the stories forgotten. The Baroque does such a good job reflecting that—an exterior show of power that is more complex underneath. Curator: Yes! Imagine the craftsmanship involved—the silversmith’s careful hammering, engraving, and the perfect balance of form and function. Editor: It speaks to how deeply embedded rituals and the presentation are to the enjoyment. So much about this object is for showing, for being looked at as part of the experience, even separate from the flavor. I find it delightful how such a relatively small object becomes such an artifact of the time! Curator: So true. It is a piece of quiet elegance with echoes of history humming within. Editor: And I find myself newly intrigued by both chocolate and the power of simple shapes to tell us such interesting tales.