Koffiefilterkan c. 1809 - 1812

This is a silver koffiefilterkan, or coffee filter jug, made by Fa. Diemont. While seemingly a simple household item, this object quietly speaks to the deep and fraught history of coffee as a global commodity. Coffee, enjoyed in homes around the world, often obscures the exploitative labor practices of its production. This jug, likely owned by a wealthy family, is made of silver, a precious metal that represents luxury and status, which stands in stark contrast to the grueling conditions of the coffee plantations that made such luxury possible. The jug is adorned with lion heads, symbols of strength and authority, perhaps reflecting the owner's social standing. Consider, too, how gender plays into this narrative; the preparation and serving of coffee was often a domestic ritual performed by women, further complicating the power dynamics embedded within this everyday object.