Pewter Porringer c. 1936

Charles Cullen rendered this Pewter Porringer on paper sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. During this era, there was a profound interest in preserving and documenting early American crafts. Cullen, likely influenced by the colonial revival movement, meticulously captured the details of this humble household object. Porringers, with their distinctive pierced handles, were common tableware in early America. They speak to the daily lives of colonists, settlers, and the labor that went into crafting essential items by hand. While seemingly simple, the porringer also hints at the complexities of class and status, reflecting who had access to such goods in early American society. Consider the hands that once held this porringer, the meals it served, and the stories it could tell about a shared past. This drawing serves as a tangible link to a time when craftsmanship and practicality were deeply intertwined with the American identity.