Spice box 1723 - 1724

Curator: This object, crafted by Nicolas Mahon between 1723 and 1724, is a stunning example of Baroque decorative art, classified as a "Spice box", fabricated from silver. Editor: It’s striking—so small and ornate. It almost feels excessive. Is "Spice Box" a bit of a humble name for such an extravagant little thing? Curator: Not at all. While it seems precious now, spice boxes like this one signified wealth and access during the period. Spices were status symbols, ingredients with immense social and financial implications. This box demonstrates control over global trade networks. Editor: So, this is more than just decorative. It's a functional piece indicating its owner's position. Thinking of the craft itself, it looks like casting and chasing might have been involved? I am always thinking about the skilled labor that goes into an object. Curator: Precisely. The silversmith would have needed not only material but very precise training and skills in order to render the tiny grooves along the side or the elegant paw feet on which it stands. Editor: Paw feet? That really connects it to status and authority, almost lion-like. And look at the floral crests etched into the top! Was this type of imagery popular among wealthy families? Curator: Yes, familial crests and emblems were prevalent and very intentional. Silverware like this played a role in constructing identity, but consider the role of display: These precious boxes were certainly not stored away unseen, but rather prominently exhibited in dining spaces. Editor: That changes my perception entirely. It’s not just about private enjoyment, but about actively performing wealth and prestige. Curator: Absolutely. Each meticulously crafted detail, from the fluted sides to the intricate engravings, spoke volumes about its owner’s world. It even tells us something about today, if one thinks of art and artifacts in the context of consumption. Editor: Examining the societal rituals through which these boxes were consumed and used—we see an entirely new kind of artifact than one just intended for pure enjoyment. Fascinating.