Sugar Bowl 1800 - 1830

This sugar bowl was crafted in the early 19th century by Hugh Wishart, a silversmith working in New York. As you can see, it is made of silver and has a classical design. Reflect for a moment on the object’s purpose: to hold sugar. During this period, sugar was not merely a sweetener but a commodity deeply entangled with the brutal realities of colonialism and slavery. The labor of enslaved people on Caribbean plantations fueled the production of sugar, which then made its way into refined objects like this bowl, gracing the tables of wealthy American households. Consider how this object, beautiful as it is, embodies the complex and often contradictory values of the time. The elegance of its form stands in stark contrast to the exploitative system that enabled its creation. It invites us to consider the hidden histories embedded within everyday objects and to reflect on the ethical implications of consumption.