Basket 1738 - 1739

Editor: Here we have a Basket by Paul de Lamerie. It's crafted from silver, and its precise creation date remains a mystery. It feels like such an ostentatious display of wealth. What can you tell me about it? Curator: It's important to consider the socio-economic context. Pieces like this weren't just decorative; they were statements of power and status in the 18th century. Who would have commissioned such a piece, and what kind of social gatherings might it have graced? Editor: So, more about showing off than actual use? Curator: Precisely. These objects reflect the values of the elite, designed to impress and reinforce social hierarchies. What does its presence in a museum say about our current values? Editor: That’s something to think about. I guess I was seeing it as an object, rather than a symbol. Curator: Exactly, it’s a potent symbol, a lens through which we can examine the past.