Dish 1774 - 1809

This dish was made by Gershom Jones, an American craftsman active in the late 18th century. While seemingly simple, this pewter dish reflects the social and economic realities of its time. In early America, pewter ware was a common alternative to more expensive silver or porcelain. The colonies lacked developed industries, so artisans like Jones filled a crucial gap. This piece shows the demand for functional household items and the growth of local craftsmanship. By studying objects like this dish, historians can explore patterns of consumption, trade networks, and the development of an American identity. The records of artisans, probate inventories, and archaeological finds give us a fuller picture of the lives of ordinary people. So, next time you look at an artwork, consider how it can reveal a community’s tastes and habits, as well as a nation’s economic and political life.