Powder Chest 1845

Enthoven & Co. fabricated this Powder Chest from pewter. Its utilitarian form is emphasized by the material: pewter is a dense alloy of tin, often mixed with lead, antimony, or copper. It is heavy, easily cast, and ideal for containing volatile contents. Consider its construction, likely achieved through casting the pewter into the desired hexagonal shape, and then refining it. Pewter-making was an important industry, the material used for everything from tableware to more specialized containers like this one. The box’s visual impact resides in its heft, its unadorned surface and the way it confidently stakes out its space. The rope handles are thick and practical, making the chest easy to transport. This object is a reminder that even the most functional items are carefully made, and that the processes used to create them carry cultural significance. It challenges our assumptions about craft, production, and labor.