Two-handled cup 1746

This two-handled cup was crafted by Robert Tyrill in the mid-18th century. In this era, silver wasn't just metal; it was a symbol of status, power, and the intricate dance of social hierarchies. Imagine the hands that might have held this cup – gentry, perhaps, celebrating victories or sealing deals over a shared drink. This cup is more than just a vessel; it is a reflection of wealth, and the story of colonialism. Silver, often mined in colonized lands, made its way into the homes of the elite, each sip taken from it was imbued with the weight of labor and exploitation. Consider the artistry of Tyrill, embedding cultural values and the visual language of power into the very fabric of this object. Through the cup, we can reflect on our relationships with objects and how they shape, reflect, and sometimes distort our collective memory.