Skewer 1796 - 1797

Curator: This is "Skewer" by Samuel Godbehere, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s austere, almost unnervingly so. Reminds me of a surgical instrument, stripped of any warmth. Curator: The form itself is deceptively simple. A long, slender point culminating in a looped handle... think of its implied use, holding and presenting food. Symbolically, it speaks of sustenance. Editor: But who gets to be sustained? Skewers like this were often part of elaborate displays of wealth, emphasizing social hierarchies through food access. It’s not just about sustenance; it's about power. Curator: Yes, it embodies that contradiction: both provider and signifier of privilege. A potent object. Editor: Food, power, privilege... heavy concepts to contemplate from such a sleek piece. Curator: Precisely, an object that quietly holds complex stories.