Pair of toilet boxes 1692

Curator: Before us is a fascinating example of late 17th-century craftsmanship: a pair of toilet boxes, crafted in 1692 by Peter Harache I. The silver pieces reside here at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: They possess an intriguing opulence. The light plays across the silver, accentuating the forms. Curator: Precisely. Observe how the repetitive, openwork design along the lower portion of the bowl contrasts with the smoother surfaces above. This articulation of planes generates significant visual interest, would you agree? Editor: Absolutely, and what a testament to Baroque decorative arts, evoking, for me, themes of ritual, adornment, and societal refinement. But what was the significance of "toilet boxes" in their time? Curator: Ah, the "toilet" in this sense refers to the act of personal grooming. These boxes likely contained precious unguents, powders, or other implements integral to one’s daily preparation. Editor: So, more than mere containers, they signified status. Silver itself has a potent historical resonance, denoting purity and wealth. The repetitive patterns etched across the silver: foliage, scrollwork, medallions… They almost read like incantations, binding notions of beauty, privilege, and control over the body. Curator: Yes, these patterns articulate structure, balance and repetition so essential to the work as a whole. Editor: Perhaps their pairing is essential. Mirroring each other, they intimate themes of harmony and perfection. Curator: Interesting perspective. For me, I think that Harache leveraged this metal medium to display dynamic light reflection in static art. Editor: Ultimately, each piece reflects and refracts both physical light and intangible symbols tied to wealth and self-image across history.