Porringer 1801 - 1856

Editor: This is a photograph of a "Porringer" made by Samuel Ely Hamlin, sometime between 1801 and 1856. It looks like it’s made of pewter or some other metal. It’s got this elaborately pierced handle, almost like a crown. What stands out to you about this piece? Curator: Oh, that handle *is* begging for a coronation, isn’t it? When I look at this, I’m instantly transported back to a time when even the most humble objects were crafted with such care and artistry. The porringer itself is simple, functional. But that handle, bursting with neoclassical exuberance—it speaks of aspirations, a yearning for elegance even in everyday life. It whispers stories of colonial silversmithing, adapted into something distinctly American. Does it remind you of anything in particular? Editor: I see it now. I was focused on its functionality, but that handle makes it seem…fanciful. Were these common? Curator: Common, maybe not, but certainly aspirational. They would’ve signified a certain level of comfort. Silver and pewter were the Tupperware of the 19th century, after all – keeping food safe in style! Look at the detail. Imagine the artisan carefully cutting and shaping that handle – not just making something functional, but also beautiful. Editor: It does seem like a lot of work for something people ate out of. Curator: But that’s precisely it, isn't it? This piece tells us that even mundane tasks deserve beauty. That simple metal could be elevated through skill and creativity. It also highlights the shift in aesthetics in early America – an embrace of elegance and order alongside practicality. Now, I see it reflected back to our time too. How does a sense of history change our perspective? Editor: Definitely makes you rethink what objects are “worth” and the stories they could be whispering to us if we just listened. Thank you!