Brandy warmer 1720

Editor: Here we have a baroque silver brandy warmer, crafted around 1720 by Paul de Lamerie. Its simple shape is so elegant! It also looks surprisingly comfortable to hold! I'm curious about how functional items became so exquisitely designed back then. What strikes you when you look at this piece? Curator: It makes me think about slowing down, about taking pleasure in the simple things. The curve of the silver, the cool touch on your hand…It's a tactile experience even just to look at it, isn’t it? Can you imagine warming your brandy on a cold evening, maybe with a roaring fire? The light would dance on the silver. Editor: That's a whole vibe! Did people really put this much artistry into something as everyday as warming a drink? It feels almost performative! Curator: Perhaps it was! Consider that silver was also a store of value; so the beauty of the object may have mirrored a more profound significance. Maybe even something spiritual, to lift and cheer. And the rituals of preparing and drinking brandy became opportunities for subtle displays of wealth and refinement. It reminds me of a poem by Rilke - "things of the world, made precious by use." Editor: I see what you mean! It's about elevating the ordinary. Now, looking at it, the form does seem perfectly suited to the ritual: refined and contemplative. Curator: Exactly. What do you make of the handle? It's simple and sturdy. Editor: It grounds the piece somehow. Without it, the pot could be floating! Also, you can tell they considered it from a practical perspective to insulate heat, probably! Curator: What I take away is a heightened awareness for the mundane, everyday practices! If this brandy warmer teaches us anything it’s to revel in simple beauties. Editor: I’ll definitely try to remember this reflection as I explore more artworks that were also everyday items!