Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Wiktionary
n. 1 An unusual item, such as a painting, or a tabletop knick-knack which encourages comment from visitors, and so helps to break the ice. 2 A painting of a group of people engaged in conversation or some other activity, popular in 18th century.
WordNet
n. something interesting that stimulates conversation
Wikipedia
A conversation piece is an informal group portrait, especially those painted in Britain in the 18th century, beginning in the 1720s. They are distinguished by their portrayal of the group apparently engaged in genteel conversation or some activity, very often outdoors. Typically the group will be members of a family, but friends may be included, and some groups are of friends, members of a society or hunt, or some other grouping. Often the paintings are relatively small, about the same size as a half-length portrait but in horizontal or "landscape" format; others are much larger.
Conversation Piece is a 1974 film by Italian director Luchino Visconti.
The film features an international cast including the American actor Burt Lancaster, the Austrian Helmut Berger and the Italians Silvana Mangano and Claudia Cardinale (in a very short role as the professor's wife) and the French actress Dominique Sanda in a cameo as the professor's mother. It was shot in English language, however, an Italian dubbed version was also produced at the time, in which Lancaster's and Berger's lines are dubbed into Italian by other actors.
The film was censored in Spain for the nude and political content and because Francisco Franco's daughter and son-in-law are mentioned. However, it was re-released there, uncut, in 1983. The word cunt was removed from its UK original release but restored on the British DVD edition.
Conversation Piece, billed as "A Romantic Comedy with Music", is a musical written by Noël Coward. It premiered at His Majesty's Theatre, London, on 16 February 1934, and ran for 177 performances over five months. A Broadway production opened at the 44th Street Theatre later that year but ran for only 55 performances.
Conversation Piece may refer to:
- conversation piece, an informal group portrait in painting
- Conversation Piece (musical) by Noël Coward (1934)
- "Conversation Piece" (song), by David Bowie (1970)
- Conversation Piece (film), by Luchino Visconti (1974)
- Conversation Piece, an album by the post-hardcore band A Lot Like Birds (2011)
Usage examples of "conversation piece".
The car's unusual shape attracted curious attention when Landry passed through the small towns and hamlets of western Ohio, and he thought he should probably trade it in for less of a conversation piece when he took up residence in Spencerville.
If it were something barbed, I supposed I could have countered with an innocent-sounding observation about the Begman party's early arrival, but Eregnor might actually be some tedious conversation piece that Nayda didn't want to get into because it would cut off our own discussion.
Of course it was the camera they were interested in, that postlinear conversation piece, and they gathered around me in stages, introducing themselves, asking questions, being exceedingly friendly, secretly preparing their outrage for the moment of my incivility.
The old piano was a natural conversation piece, and it proved to be in excellent condition when Angie picked out something on the keys.
The skeleton was symbolic - a prop, a conversation piece installed by a woman who spoke to almost no one.
An interesting conversation piece, while my hygienist was in your mouth.