This pair of French Empire–style silver sauceboats bears the mark of A. Rasch & Co., a Bavarian-born silversmith working in Philadelphia. Among the most refined pieces of American silver produced in the early 19th century, they feature boldly sculptural cast serpent handles and ram's-head spouts. The engraved crest belongs to the Milligan family of Maryland. So I built the moment before it existed: the snake still alive, coiled inside the bowl, slowly waking up and folding itself into the handle it was always meant to become.

Made in @floraai for #Contrachallenge https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/7212