Tureen with Cover 1783 - 1784

William Davie crafted this silver tureen with a cover. Though its date is unknown, objects like this provide a window into the domestic lives and social customs of the past. Tureens were originally associated with elite dining and rituals of hospitality, reflecting one’s status and taste. This piece is decorated with floral garlands and ribbons; it's a highly ornamental example of the silversmith's craft, intended to impress guests. Who prepared the food that would be served from it? Who cleared the table? The answers to those questions would reveal a complex hierarchy of labor, often divided along gender and class lines. Consider the hands that polished the silver to maintain its gleaming appearance, or those who carefully arranged flowers around it to create an appealing tablescape. These actions were crucial to the overall effect, yet often remain unseen and unacknowledged. As you admire the tureen’s elegant form, think about the network of people and practices that supported its use and imbued it with meaning.