Caster c. 1775

Editor: Here we have John Fitch’s silver caster from the Harvard Art Museums. It has such an elegant, almost austere feel to it. What sociopolitical stories might this object tell? Curator: Well, think about the context. Silver, even a modest piece like this, signifies wealth and privilege. Who had access to sugar, and therefore sugar casters, at the time of its creation? Editor: Ah, so it’s connected to the history of sugar production, colonialism, and the exploitation of enslaved labor. Curator: Precisely. Every time someone used this caster, they were participating, perhaps unknowingly, in a system of oppression. Editor: I see it differently now. It’s a beautiful object, but also a stark reminder. Curator: Exactly. Recognizing these connections is key to understanding the complex narratives embedded in art.