On a tabletop partly covered by a bunched-up Persian rug, a silver tray holds a delicate fruit-filled porcelain bowl and an elaborate metalwork mount, reminiscent of the nautilus mounts of chapter 2, elevating a delicate Venetian-style glass with red wine. (plate 4) The blade of a knife is anchored under the mount, and its marble handle rests under the bowl, projecting outwards. Behind the tray, a roemer of white wine stands on the tabletop, the raspberry-like prunts on the shaft just catching the light. Further in the background, a tall fluted glass about a third full of white wine or beer looms, light touching its rim. In looking at Willem Kalf's 1663 still life, the viewer is convinced that this is a straightforward depiction of objects on a tabletop, devoid of narrative. Kalf persuades the viewer of the reality of this scene by portraying minute details, the basic formal aspects of the objects, as well as in the rendering of diverse surface textures and especially light reflections.

Kalf created a coherent scene on this domestic tabletop. The light bouncing among the represented objects is the only action of this image, leading the viewer to examine each item in turn and its relationship to the next object. The porcelain and the silver are highlighted with a white light, while the glass and gilded surface of the mount glow yellow. The knife handle throws a white highlight that shines improbably on the bowl's surface.