Beaker 1795 - 1816

This is a beaker, made of pewter, by Samuel Danforth around the turn of the 19th century. Pewter is an alloy, mostly tin, but with a bit of lead or other metals for strength. The material is critical here. Pewter wares like this were common in early America, a relatively affordable alternative to silver. Its soft, grey sheen spoke of practicality and usefulness. Beakers like this would have been made by casting the molten metal in a mold and then turning on a lathe, a process of shaping the object as it spins. The slight ridges at the base are evidence of this. It’s easy to overlook objects like this, but they are a reminder that everything we use is made by someone, somewhere. Danforth’s beaker stands as a testament to the skill and labor that went into even the most humble of household items. By considering the material and the making, we can move beyond the traditional boundaries of fine art, and see the value in all forms of creative production.