Silver Caudle Cup c. 1936

Lawrence Flynn created this drawing of a silver caudle cup sometime during his lifetime, between 1900 and 1973. A caudle cup was historically used for serving caudle, a warm drink given to women after childbirth. Given this history, it's interesting to consider how domestic objects can also be signifiers of gendered expectations and roles. Caudle, believed to aid in recovery, highlights the cultural emphasis on women's reproductive roles. During the time Flynn was working, we can see a shift in gender roles and expectations. Did Flynn intend this drawing to simply be a rendering of an antiquated object, or was he thinking about these changing roles? Looking at this image, what does this object and its history make you think about women's labor, motherhood, and domesticity, both then and now?