Presenteerblad van messing c. 1900 - 1910

This presentation tray in brass, by G. Dikkers & Co, gleams with a quiet kind of confidence. I can imagine the artisan’s hands carefully shaping the metal, coaxing it into this elegant form. There are subtle etchings that seem to grow like vines in the corners—a delicate counterpoint to the tray's solid heft. You know, it's funny how everyday objects can become these small sites of aesthetic inquiry. Think about the way light must play across this surface, how the patina might deepen and change over time. The artist probably thought a lot about functionality: how it feels to hold, the balance of its weight, and how its very presence might elevate the simplest of offerings, like a cup of tea or a slice of cake. In its simplicity, it’s not unlike the minimalist art of Donald Judd who also made art that functioned as furniture. These makers, these artists, are constantly speaking to each other across time, aren’t they?