Pewter Porringer c. 1936

Fred Peterson rendered this Pewter Porringer as part of the Index of American Design. Emerging from the Great Depression in the 1930s, the Index employed artists to document American decorative and folk arts. This drawing speaks to a moment of national self-reflection, amid economic hardship and the looming threat of war. What does it mean to see American identity reflected in such an everyday object? The porringer, traditionally a vessel for feeding children, takes on a new significance. It transcends its utilitarian purpose, becoming a symbol of care, heritage, and the transmission of culture across generations. Peterson's careful rendering of the porringer invites us to consider the intimacy of domestic life and the quiet dignity of ordinary objects. It reflects on the values of simplicity and resourcefulness that were crucial to the nation’s identity during times of adversity.