Caster 1721 - 1722

This silver caster was made in London by Edward Turner in the early 18th century. Objects such as this caster speak to the rise of consumer culture in Britain at this time. As Britain's empire grew, trade routes opened up, and new commodities became available to a wider range of people. Sugar, spices, and other exotic goods were increasingly desired and this is mirrored in the growing demand for specialized tableware. Silver, a precious material, signaled wealth and status. Owning such an item declared the owner's membership in polite society, a world governed by elaborate social rituals around dining. By studying objects like this in museum collections and consulting historical trade records, we can understand the ways that social aspirations were expressed through material culture. The caster is not simply a functional object but also a signifier of social identity.