Cann 1822 - 1825

This silver cann was crafted by George Baker sometime between 1808 and 1825. Its reflective surface mirrors not only the light in this room, but also the complex social dynamics of its time. In the early 19th century, objects like this cann weren't just functional; they were potent symbols of status. For whom was this vessel made, and what did it signify about their position in society? Was it a marker of wealth, perhaps accumulated through industries intertwined with the exploitation of enslaved people? The canns' gleam might mask the realities of the economic system that enabled its creation. Consider the hands that have held it. What stories would it tell, if it could speak of the conversations it has witnessed and the lives it has touched? Its elegant design invites us to reflect on the artistry and labor involved in its making.