Sugar sifter 1850 - 1899

This is an eight-and-a-half inch long sugar sifter made by Louis Béguin, a French silversmith who lived from 1808 to 1908. The sifter’s delicate, stylized floral designs and overall symmetry reflect the aesthetics of the 19th century. But it's important to remember that such an object speaks to the vast colonial project of sugar production. This small spoon is connected to a web of labor, capital, and consumption that spanned continents and fueled European expansion. The availability of sugar in Europe created not only new culinary customs but also a stark contrast between the wealthy who could afford such luxuries, and the enslaved laborers who produced the raw materials. Careful study of such an object requires a dive into the history of global trade, colonial economies, and the social rituals of dining. Only then can we understand the full significance of what might seem like a simple, ornate spoon.