Rectangular Cruet Frame and Bottles c. 1811 - 1827

Curator: Here we have a rectangular cruet frame and bottles by Harvey Lewis. Editor: It's dazzling! The glass and silver just sparkle. It feels opulent, and a little fussy. Curator: Lewis was active in London between 1780 and 1835, and this piece speaks to the rise of specialized tableware. Fine dining became a performative art. Editor: Absolutely. And this cruet set, with its precious materials, screams of exclusivity. Who was being served with this? Who was excluded? Curator: Cruet sets were common to display condiments such as oil, vinegar, and spices. The form reflects the rituals and expectations of elite dining culture. Editor: Right, and those rituals were steeped in power dynamics. Think about the labor involved in crafting and maintaining something so ornate. Curator: Precisely. It's a testament to the craftsmanship of the period but also a reminder of social stratification. Editor: Seeing an object like this, so tied to a history of inequality, is a compelling reminder that material culture carries immense social weight.