Sauceboat 1755 - 1770

This silver sauceboat was made by Zachariah Brigden, a silversmith working in Boston during the late 18th century. This object speaks to the importance of dining rituals within colonial American society. The sauceboat's form, with its elegant curves and delicate legs, reflects the influence of European styles, particularly English silverwork. Silver objects like this were markers of status and refinement, signifying the wealth and social standing of their owners. Its creation speaks to the growth of specialized crafts and the increasing availability of luxury goods in colonial cities like Boston. The presence of such items also points to the complex economic relationships between the colonies and Europe, as well as the social hierarchies that defined colonial society. Historians use probate inventories, newspaper advertisements, and other period documents to reconstruct the world in which this sauceboat was made and used. By examining such objects, we gain insight into the material culture and social dynamics of early America.