Plate 1700 - 1750

Editor: This unassuming piece is titled simply “Plate,” dating back to somewhere between 1700 and 1750. It’s part of the collection at the Met, and seems to be made of some kind of ceramic. It has an understated kind of beauty – but I’m curious to hear your perspective. What catches your eye about it? Curator: You know, sometimes the most "ordinary" objects whisper the loudest stories. This plate, likely made of pewter back then and now sitting quietly in the Met, isn't just a thing; it's a time portal! I mean, can you imagine the meals it’s seen, the hands that have held it? Forget fleeting Instagrammable food moments, this plate’s hosted serious suppers. What do you suppose made people choose this plate over others? Editor: That’s such a lovely thought – that this plate bore witness to all kinds of meals. I hadn't thought of it as being deliberately selected by someone. I suppose in that era there might have been a great deal of symbolism attached to everyday objects? Curator: Absolutely. Material, design, who owned it – all status signals back then, much more so than today I reckon! Every scratch, every mark feels like a tiny secret, doesn't it? Makes me want to invent its past... Was it a wedding gift? Did a clumsy child ever drop it? Ah, the mysteries in the mundane! Editor: Now I’m picturing scenes from its life, which is far more exciting than I thought a plate could be! It’s amazing how a little context can transform our perspective. Curator: Exactly! Never underestimate the narrative power of an old plate, my friend. They are more human than we might think, aren't they?