Two-handled Cup 1704 - 1705

Curator: Here we have a two-handled cup by David King, who lived from 1688 to 1738. Notice its silver construction and refined craftsmanship. Editor: It's like a gleaming, silent chalice. Feels more ceremonial than practical, doesn't it? Curator: Indeed. The material value signals status, but consider the labor involved in hammering, shaping, engraving this silver. Editor: Those swirling handles... I keep imagining hands grasping it, maybe during some forgotten toast or celebration. Curator: It’s a product of its time, luxury for the elite, masking exploitation through its beauty. Silver was a commodity, extracted and transformed by human labor. Editor: Still, there’s an undeniable artistry to it. A whisper of elegance, even if born of unequal circumstances. Curator: The object stands as a testament to both artistic skill and social inequality. It is a vessel, holding complex histories. Editor: Perhaps, every time we gaze upon this cup, it's a chance to reflect on the stories it could tell.