Plate (one of a set of twelve)
1715/16
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Overall (confirmed): 13/16 x 9 5/8 in., 19 oz. 3 dwt. (2.1 x 24.4 cm, 595.5g)
Classification
Metalwork-Silver
Culture
British, London
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 2012
Accession Number
2012.205.22
Art Historical Context
This elegant silver plate, crafted by London silversmith Thomas Far in 1715/16, is one of a luxurious set of twelve, exemplifying the finest British metalwork of the early Georgian era. Measuring just over 13/16 by 9 5/8 inches and weighing a substantial 19 ounces, it reflects the opulence of elite dining tables during the reign of George I. Such sets were status symbols for the aristocracy, showcasing the precision of London-trained craftsmen whose hallmarks guaranteed authenticity and quality. Silver as a medium held immense cultural prestige in 18th-century Britain, symbolizing wealth and ...