Porringer 1740

This silver porringer was crafted by William Swan in Massachusetts sometime before 1774. Note the intricate handle, embellished with stylized, foliate scrolls. This motif, echoing the natural world, has roots stretching back to ancient Greece, a testament to the enduring human impulse to see beauty in flora. Now, consider the handle’s purpose; a point of contact. Think of the Greek ‘kantharos’, a vessel with large handles used for drinking wine. The kantharos was often associated with Dionysus, the god of wine, ecstasy, and theatre. In both instances, the handles invite interaction, and thus a connection with the object and its contents. Like the vessels of antiquity, this seemingly humble porringer is more than a mere object. It's a container of memories, a symbol of sustenance, and a link to the past. The scrolling foliage, intertwined with the vessel’s utility, speaks of life’s cyclical nature, where growth and nourishment are intertwined. It represents a cultural memory, a symbol passed down through generations, ever evolving, yet always present.