Fingerbowl c. 1929 - 1930

This fingerbowl, along with its matching smaller bowls, was crafted from an unknown metal by an anonymous artist. The bowls are decorated with floral patterns. These objects give us a window into the dining etiquette of a particular time and social class. What does it tell us about hygiene, social graces, or the performance of wealth? The very existence of a finger bowl speaks to a culture of multi-course meals and the leisure time to engage in such elaborate rituals. To truly understand this piece, we need to investigate dining customs and social hierarchies. We might look to etiquette manuals, cookbooks, or even literature from the period. Art isn't created in a vacuum. It reflects and reinforces the values of its society. It also reflects the social structures of its own time. We can only truly appreciate it when we understand those connections.