Fluted Dish or Saucer 1716 - 1717

Curator: This is a fluted dish or saucer by David Willaume I. Willaume was a prominent silversmith working in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Editor: It feels… reserved. Like a quiet luxury, a gleam in a dimly lit room. The fluted edges give it a gentle, almost floral quality. Curator: Exactly. Willaume's work often reflects the Huguenot aesthetic—restrained elegance, skilled craftsmanship, intended for a discerning clientele navigating a complex social landscape. Editor: I love the little crest! It's like a secret, personal touch amidst all that polished silver. Did it get much use, I wonder? Did someone eat cake off it every day? Curator: Undoubtedly. Pieces like this were used, displayed, and inherited, carrying cultural weight. They signified status and taste within very specific social circles. Editor: Makes you think about all the stories it holds. It’s nice to see something so clean and timeless. Curator: Indeed, a perfect little reflection of its era.