Fingerbowl c. 1929 - 1930

Editor: This is "Fingerbowl," a set of decorative art crafted around 1929 or 1930, made of silver. Its surface looks worn with age, adding a certain quiet elegance. What do you notice about this piece? Curator: Well, my eye is drawn immediately to the floral motifs. Do you see how they are repeated across the different vessels? Roses, perhaps? Editor: I do. What's the significance of that imagery in decorative art of this era? Curator: Roses, throughout history, have carried a lot of symbolic weight, often linked to love, beauty, and even secrecy. But here, in a functional object like a fingerbowl, it speaks to a specific desire to elevate the everyday. The Art Deco period was fascinated by modern interpretations of classical themes; could these stylized flowers be referencing the opulent gardens of the aristocracy, reinterpreted for a more streamlined age? Editor: So it's not just about beauty, but about aspirational symbolism, maybe a yearning for a lost opulence. I'm curious, do you think the arrangement – the larger bowl and then the three smaller ones – plays into this symbolism somehow? Curator: That's a fascinating question. Think about the cultural rituals associated with dining. What might this particular arrangement suggest about the relationships and social hierarchies of its users? Editor: Hmm, almost like a main vessel and supporting players… a bit like a family dynamic at dinner? The rose motif unifying all the roles? Curator: Precisely. What began as simple ornamentation can also act as cultural shorthand. Now, when you look at it, do you feel the weight of history any differently? Editor: Absolutely. Seeing it as more than just decoration really brings it to life. Thanks, that’s really insightful. Curator: My pleasure, every object has its secrets, if only we care to look closely enough.