Pair of Platters 1800 - 1812

These platters were created by Jean-Baptiste-Claude Odiot, a prominent French goldsmith during a period of immense social and political upheaval in France. Odiot was working in a world where the lavish displays of wealth by the aristocracy were under intense scrutiny. The French Revolution, with its emphasis on equality, dramatically reshaped the landscape of wealth and power, and items like these platters speak volumes about status and social identity. The choice of precious metals, and the craftsmanship involved, signify a level of luxury accessible only to a select few. These objects elicit questions about consumption, class, and privilege during a time of revolution. Even today, we might ask ourselves how such displays of opulence resonate in a world grappling with economic disparities. They encourage us to reflect on the relationship between material culture and the stories societies tell about themselves.