Steelpan 1739

Here we see a steelpan made by Frederik van Strant II, likely from the mid-18th century. Its diminutive size draws you in, but it is the form that truly captures the eye. The bowl, a perfect hemisphere, is subtly distorted where a pouring spout is pinched into its form. The metallic sheen gives the piece an almost ethereal presence, while the cylindrical handle juts out, a stark contrast to the gentle curve of the bowl. The artist's craftsmanship invites us to consider functionality in relation to form. It asks, is the object's use fully determined by its shape or, is it the reverse? Ultimately, the steelpan exists in a state of tension between utilitarian design and aesthetic purity, challenging our assumptions about purpose and appearance.