Salver 1744 - 1745

This salver was crafted by John Robinson, an American silversmith active in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It’s made of silver, a precious metal prized for its luster and malleability. Silversmiths like Robinson transformed raw materials into functional and decorative objects. The creation of this salver involved skills such as melting, hammering, and engraving. Looking closely, you can see intricate details achieved through careful handwork, like the engraved heraldic crest at its center. In Robinson's time, silver objects were not just functional; they were potent symbols of wealth and status. The presence of a coat-of-arms suggests this piece was commissioned by a family keen to display their lineage. Owning handcrafted silver signaled membership in a privileged class, a reminder of the economic inequalities that defined early America. Considering the material and the processes involved allows us to understand the social and economic context of this object, challenging the traditional distinction between art and craft.