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The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, UK, is hosting at the moment a new and unusual exhibition, dedicated to the material culture of drinkings, built over a period of more than five centuries on the British land. The "art" of drinking, aside the simple pleasure and it's major social role, created a material culture that was comparable to that created by smokers. The varied situations on which one could enjoy a drink, alone or with friends, gave the need for several types of vessels, ranging from stoneware beer mugs to jade wine cups and silver goblets, more or less precious and well made, often decorated with complicated motifs or animal figures. |
"The Art of Drinking" show tries to once again place these varied objects in the context of social history, as these vessels were not only a sign and symbol of the wealth, social stature and power of the owner or user, but also an expression of local customs, traditions, taboos. Starting from being a part of religious ceremonies, permited only to the priests and believers, slowly drinking became a general pass-time, very popular, leading in excess to alcoholism and destruction. The history of drinking, rarely presented in an exhibition, is now opened to interpretations and new visions.
The vessels chosen for the show are amazing both by the quality of their craftsmanship, as well as the varied decorations.
Photo : vam.ac.uk
2007-10-02
