Chute

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts collection, *Chute* is a exquisite example of 18th-century French gilt bronze craftsmanship. Measuring just 4½ inches in length, this diminutive metalwork piece exemplifies the era's penchant for luxurious, functional ornamentation. Gilt bronze, created by casting bronze and applying a thin layer of gold via mercury gilding—a skilled and hazardous technique—lent an opulent sheen to household objects, evoking the grandeur of royal interiors. Produced in France during the lavish Rococo period or the refined Louis...