Hot water dish 1750 - 1775

This is a hot water dish made by Thomas Swanson in the 18th century. The piece is made of pewter, and its circular form immediately draws the eye, but it’s the interplay of form and function that holds our attention. The dish is a study in simple geometric volumes: a wide, shallow cylinder supporting a slightly concave disc. Note how the craftsman paid meticulous attention to the shape of the handles and the small supporting brace, ensuring they disrupt the purity of the circular form without overwhelming it. The dull gleam of the pewter gives the object a tactile presence, inviting us to imagine its weight, its temperature, and the textures of the surfaces it might have touched. The dish exists not just as an aesthetic object, but as a testament to the dialogue between artistic intention and material reality. It shows the importance of visual elements and materiality, which speaks to the broader philosophical concerns.