Mug 1822 - 1825

This mug was made by Abraham Fellows, an American silversmith working in the early 19th century. Silver objects like these are a window into the social and economic life of the period. In the young republic, owning silver signified status. It spoke of family wealth but also a commitment to participating in a refined social life. Think about the rituals of dining and hospitality in this era. Displaying such an object was a way to perform gentility. Fellows probably made this for a specific commission. Examining probate records or family papers might reveal who originally owned it and the occasion for which it was made. Silver objects weren't just functional; they were potent symbols in a society still defining itself. Understanding this mug requires looking beyond its simple form to the cultural values it embodied. Museum collections, historical societies, and archives become essential resources. They help us to interpret the role of art within a specific time and place.