Creamer 1830 - 1840

Here we have a Creamer, made of silver by Belloni and Durandeau, active during a time of significant social upheaval following the French Revolution. This object transcends its utilitarian purpose, embodying the class distinctions and cultural rituals of its era. Silverware during this time was not merely functional, but rather served as a display of wealth and status, reflecting the rigid social hierarchies of the 18th and 19th centuries. Consider the lives of those who labored to mine and refine the silver. Their stories are enmeshed within this object, even if they remain unseen. The creamer invites us to reflect on our own participation in systems of consumption and labor. What unspoken narratives are embedded in the objects we use every day? Can we look beyond the surface of material culture to recognize the complex tapestry of human experience it represents?