Cream Pot (part of a set) 1900

This cream pot, part of a larger set, was made by the Gorham Manufacturing Company, a leading American silver manufacturer. Consider the cultural context of dining and domesticity, particularly the rituals surrounding tea and coffee in upper and middle-class homes. Silverware like this wasn’t merely functional; it was a marker of social status and refinement, reflecting the aspirations and values of its owners. Think about the gendered associations, and how objects like this cream pot often played a role in women's social lives, connected to hosting and entertaining guests. The floral motifs also speak to a certain aesthetic sensibility of the time, connecting domestic objects to notions of beauty, nature, and femininity. As you observe the craftsmanship and design, reflect on how the creation and ownership of such objects were intertwined with complex social hierarchies. The emotional resonance of these objects lies in their ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia.