Tazza 1715 - 1716

Curator: What a cool and understated little object, almost minimalist. Editor: Indeed. This is a Tazza, made by Thomas Langford I. Langford lived from 1715 to 1740 and examples of his work are held at the Harvard Art Museums. Curator: It’s so small! I wonder what it was used for. Serving delicate cakes perhaps? You know, the wealthy using silver like this was really signaling something. Editor: Precisely, its weight, nearly 170 grams, speaks to a culture of conspicuous consumption, and the labor involved in its crafting signifies considerable social power. Curator: Absolutely, the very act of choosing silver highlights class distinctions. This Tazza is more than just a pretty object. Editor: It's a testament to the social and material conditions of its time, and Langford's skill.