Beaker 1773 - 1796

This is a simple silver Beaker made by Cary Dunn around the late 18th century. Crafted during a period of social and political upheaval, Dunn's beaker reflects a moment of both refinement and revolution. Consider how class distinctions were often reinforced through objects of material culture during this era. Silverware, like this beaker, signified wealth and status, enjoyed by a small percentage of the population. The stark simplicity of this beaker is notable, existing between the grandeur of aristocratic excess and the utilitarian objects of the working class. Think about how the touch of silver might have felt, cold and smooth against the lips, and how the weight of the beaker felt in the palm of one's hand. The experience of using this object offers a sense of connection to those who lived in a very different, yet intimately connected, past.