Copper Tea Kettle c. 1936

J. Howard Iams created this "Copper Tea Kettle" drawing. Given Iams’s life spanned from 1855 to 1995, we might consider how the simple, almost nostalgic subject matter resonates with a rapidly changing industrialized world. At first glance, the tea kettle appears as a mundane, utilitarian object, yet it carries rich cultural and historical weight, particularly when thinking about gender and domesticity. For many, the act of brewing tea is tied to nurturing, and the labor often falls to women. What stories could this kettle tell if it could speak? Who might have used it, and under what circumstances? Perhaps it was a mother, providing comfort during times of hardship, or maybe it was a symbol of warmth and hospitality in a bustling household. It is important to reflect on how everyday objects like this tea kettle are deeply embedded in our personal and collective memories, shaping our identities and experiences.