Beaker 1810 - 1850

This simple beaker, made by Thomas Danforth Boardman, presents a form steeped in the history of human ritual. Consider the humble cup, a vessel for sustenance and communion. The beaker's cylindrical shape, widening slightly toward the top, echoes ancient forms. Its unadorned surface bears a subtle ripple pattern that hints at water, the source of life, subtly referencing ancient libation vessels used in religious ceremonies. We find echoes of this form across cultures, from the kylixes of ancient Greece used in Dionysian rites to the chalices of medieval Christianity. The act of drinking from such a vessel becomes more than mere hydration; it’s a symbolic participation in something larger. The beaker’s shape taps into our collective memory, stirring a primeval connection to rituals of nourishment and community. It is this continuous cyclical progression that underscores how even the most utilitarian objects carry the weight of history.