Beaker 1785 - 1799

This is an undecorated, possibly pewter, beaker by G. I. P. Imagine holding this beaker in your hands. Its simple form speaks to an era where function preceded ornament, but also to the way in which basic forms can carry cultural meaning. Think about the role of such a simple vessel in different social settings: What does it mean to share a drink? Who is afforded such intimacy? In early modern Europe, drinking vessels were often tied to social status and rituals of communal drinking. The absence of decoration might reflect a specific cultural aesthetic or perhaps even the practical needs of everyday life. Consider how class, gender, and social standing might influence the materials used and the styles preferred for personal items such as this. The beaker, with its unadorned surface, prompts us to consider what stories it silently holds.