Porringer c. 1735

Curator: The "Porringer" was crafted by Jacob Hurd, a noted silversmith active in the early 18th century. Editor: There's something deeply comforting about its simple, almost hammered texture. It feels both precious and utilitarian. Curator: A porringer like this was a personal eating vessel. Beyond the functional, the silversmith’s mark on the handle speaks to a maker's identity and the value placed on craftsmanship. Editor: And it's interesting how a piece like this, made from precious metal, signals status. Who was afforded the luxury of dining from silver in this era? What narratives are excluded by its presence here? Curator: Precisely. Silver carried social weight, but also a perceived protection against illness—a symbolic, if not always effective, safeguard. Editor: It makes me think about the stories it could tell, the meals it served, the hands that held it. It’s more than just a bowl; it’s a vessel of history. Curator: Indeed. Objects like this connect us to the material culture and beliefs of past lives, providing a tangible link to our shared human story. Editor: And for me, it highlights how consumption and class are always embedded in the objects we leave behind.