Caster (one of a set of three) 1714 - 1715

Editor: This silver caster, part of a set of three, crafted by Lewis Mettayer around 1714 or 1715, whispers elegance. Looking at them evokes a sense of refined dining, almost a culinary performance. The pierced tops feel so delicate! What catches your eye about this piece? Curator: Well, first off, they feel intensely personal, don’t they? Like little monuments to taste itself. Each perforation, each curve—they're not just functional, but declarations of a specific moment, a very privileged one. Baroque silver often plays with light like this, doesn't it? Editor: It definitely does. But why go to such lengths for something as simple as dispensing spices? Curator: Precisely! It's less about the spices, and more about projecting power and status. Think of the reflection on that surface and how candlelight would enhance that glow in a grand room. It becomes about showmanship; almost theatrical, isn't it? And then you see the engraving - likely denoting the family whose table they adorned. Imagine the hands that have held these. Editor: So it's a subtle symbol? A quiet way to display wealth and status, while enjoying nutmeg? Curator: Exactly! Each element carefully considered and flawlessly executed, and, as someone encounters the deliciousness that each delivers, it whispers privilege and taste. What's more opulent than seasoning like royalty? Editor: Looking at the details, it really does speak volumes beyond its intended use. I guess I never considered the drama that salt and pepper shakers could possess. Thank you. Curator: My pleasure! Always wonderful to unpack the secrets hidden in plain sight. These baroque silversmiths, they were quite the poets in silver!