NARRATOR: 
The peacock pie is the headliner in this banquet painting, made in 1627 by Dutch artist Pieter Claesz. It’s surrounded by other costly and imported foods and tableware. They don’t depict an actual meal – rather, they are assembled in this scene to signal the wealth of the person who bought the painting. 

CARLA HALL: 
It’s all about showing your guest - or the viewer - who you are, what you stand for. Back in the day in 1627, you had to hire an artist to come in and paint your perception of your wealth.   Today, we tend to do it on social media. It’s so beautifully done.

My name is Carla Hall.  I am a chef - a lotta people may know me from Top Chef back in the day, and I'm a lover of all things creative.

NARRATOR: 
Below the pie is a golden saltcellar, and a dish of little candies. 

CARLA HALL: 
Salt would have been very precious. Sugar would have been precious. In the handwork not only of the candies, but also of the crust, you see that they have help - there are people who are in the kitchen who are doing this work, and they are very skilled.  

NARRATOR: 
Sugar would have come to the Netherlands from American or Caribbean plantations; the olives and white wine, perhaps from the Mediterranean. And the blue and white porcelain bowls would have been brought from China at considerable expense. So this painting alludes to the strength and prosperity of the Dutch trading empire at this time, as well as to the wealth and aspirations of the family who hung it in their home.

Carla’s all in favor of the pie’s perfectly browned crust. But the stuffed peacock on top that spectacularly announces what’s inside?

CARLA HALL: 
It's clearly not edible.  In modern times, I would say it is akin to having a burger with 24 karat gold on it.  You don’t eat it, the gold isn't tasting delicious, but you are only having it for wealth and to charge a certain amount because you can.