Chocolate pot 1686

Editor: Here we have a Baroque-style chocolate pot, crafted in 1686 by George Garthorne. It’s made of silver with a wooden handle, and is part of the Minneapolis Institute of Art's collection. I'm struck by how the gleam of the silver emphasizes the curved form, hinting at luxury and ritual. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: Considering this object through a materialist lens, I find myself drawn to the means of its production and its intended consumption. Think about the labor involved in mining, smelting, and crafting the silver, contrasting with the labor that brought cacao beans across the ocean to become a fashionable beverage. Is it solely a functional vessel, or a symbol of power relations and consumption patterns of the era? Editor: That's a very different take! I hadn’t thought about the journey of the materials themselves. I was focused on the object in isolation, as this beautiful example of Baroque craftsmanship. Curator: Indeed, it's undeniably beautiful. But understanding the materiality allows us to dissect those initial aesthetic impressions. Notice how the polished silver reflects wealth, not only of the patron who owned it, but also the empire that afforded its production. The dark wood handle, while utilitarian, provides a contrasting texture which complicates our understanding. Don't you wonder how the chocolate, itself a precious commodity, factored into these social rituals? Editor: I do. Thinking about who owned it, who made it, and what it signified beyond its beauty opens up whole new avenues of exploration. I never considered chocolate as connected to those social relations so explicitly. Curator: Precisely! By questioning its origins, its function, and the social context surrounding its consumption, we unravel the many narratives woven into this seemingly simple chocolate pot. Now we see how decorative arts act as a powerful record. Editor: I’ll definitely carry this perspective into the gallery from now on!