Cup 1700 - 1725

This silver cup was crafted by John Dixwell, an American silversmith, around the turn of the 18th century. During this time, silversmiths held a respected position in society, often acting as both artisans and merchants within a rigid class system. This cup speaks to the intricate dance between utility and status in early American society. The object transcends its function as a mere drinking vessel, becoming a symbol of wealth and social standing. Consider the labor required to produce such an object, from mining the silver to the skilled craftsmanship. This connects the cup to larger narratives of colonial trade, labor, and the accumulation of wealth. Reflect on the hands that might have held this cup, the beverages it might have contained, and the conversations it could have witnessed. Its simple design invites you to contemplate its place within both the domestic sphere and the broader theater of early American life.