Cream or Milk Jug 1742 - 1743

Editor: This is Paul de Lamerie's "Cream or Milk Jug," currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. The jug's surface is incredibly ornate, the floral decorations adding an appealing touch. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It’s a potent reminder of the artistry produced during colonialism. The elaborate silverwork speaks to a specific kind of conspicuous consumption, doesn't it? How might we situate this object within broader narratives of power, class, and global trade? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. Thanks, I'll definitely be thinking about this more. Curator: It’s these dialogues that help us unpack the complexities embedded within seemingly simple objects.