conversation piece
Curiosity sparking discussion
A conversation piece is an object unusual or interesting enough to prompt discussion among guests: That antique map is quite the conversation piece.
The term often carries a hint of irony—the object may be garish or bizarre rather than tasteful.
In art history, a conversation piece is a group portrait showing figures in an informal domestic setting.
Old valued collectible
- heirloomInherited family treasure
- curioOdd collectible item
- artifactHuman-made historical object
- vintageQuality from past eras
memorabilia · relic · keepsake · souvenir · figurine · porcelain · curiosity · oddity
Tension-easing social activity
- talking pointPre-crafted argument for repetition
- anecdoteBrief account of incident
- provenanceRecord of ownership
- dinner partyHosted meal with guests
entertaining · hosting · visitor · compliment · inquiry · storytelling · fascinating · intriguing
Decorative table focal point
- ornamentThing that beautifies
- showpiecePrized display item
- vaseOrnamental container for flowers
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
display · tabletop · statement · eye-catching · decorative object · focal point · interior design · eclectic
Shaped three-dimensional art
- paintingPigment on canvas
- gallerySpace for displaying artwork
- exhibitItem publicly displayed
- installationProcess of putting in
portrait · abstract · modernism · canvas · found object · assemblage · mobile · kinetic art
Idiosyncratically unusual
- distinctiveReadily identifiable, set apart
- uniqueOnly one exists
- peculiarStrangely unusual
- one-of-a-kindHaving no equivalent
novelty · uncommon · original · eccentric · idiosyncratic · avant-garde · exotic · curious
antique
Old valued collectible
vintage · memorabilia · relic · keepsake · souvenir · figurine · porcelain · curiosity · oddity · rare find
icebreaker
Tension-easing social activity
- talking pointPre-crafted argument for repetition
- anecdoteBrief account of incident
- provenanceRecord of ownership
dinner party · entertaining · hosting · visitor · compliment · inquiry · storytelling · fascinating · intriguing
centerpiece
Decorative table focal point
arrangement · display · tabletop · statement · eye-catching · decorative object · focal point · interior design · eclectic · whimsical
sculpture
Shaped three-dimensional art
installation · portrait · abstract · modernism · canvas · found object · assemblage · mobile · kinetic art · objet d'art
quirky
Idiosyncratically unusual
- distinctiveReadily identifiable, set apart
- uniqueOnly one exists
- peculiarStrangely unusual
one-of-a-kind · novelty · uncommon · original · eccentric · idiosyncratic · avant-garde · exotic · curious · unexpected
- visual artdrawing, fine art, painting, portrait, sketch
- curioscurios, curio, curiosities, curiosity, knickknacks
- Odditiescuriosity, curio, unusual, odd, strange
- showpiecescenterpiece, focal point, crown jewel, star attraction, highlight
- genre scenesdomestic scene, tavern scene, market scene, village scene, dining room
- Oil Paintingsportrait, landscape, still life, nude, self-portrait
conversation piecewallpaper
Ornamental wall covering
filler · background noise · white noise · backdrop · afterthought
conversation piececonversation stopper
Remark ending discussion abruptly
awkward silence · taboo subject · non-starter · elephant in the room · mood killer
piece, pieces, conversation, converse, masterpiece, conversing, conversant, conversational, piecemeal