Inkwell 1810 - 1850

This inkwell was made by Thomas Danforth Boardman, an American pewterer, in the late 18th or early 19th century. The production of pewter objects like this inkwell speaks to the rise of a new kind of consumer culture in America at the time. No longer reliant on goods from Europe, artisans like Boardman were able to produce functional objects. A burgeoning middle class began to acquire items like this inkwell to enhance their daily lives. The inkwell's simple, practical design reflects the values of early American society, which favored utility over elaborate ornamentation. Close study of account books and other records from the period help us understand more about Boardman's clientele and the role his work played in the material culture of the new nation. Appreciating this inkwell means understanding its place in a specific time and place.