Box 1796 - 1797

This silver box was crafted by Samuel Pemberton between 1750 and 1850, a period marked by significant social stratification. During this era, personal items like this box reflected the owner's social standing. The intricate detailing, speaks to a culture of refined craftsmanship, but also hints at the stark disparities in access and opportunity that defined the time. The box becomes a silent witness to the gendered expectations of the period, where women were often confined to domestic roles, managing households and personal adornment. Did it hold rouge? Perhaps a lock of hair? Consider the emotional weight of such an object. It’s a container of memories, secrets, and perhaps, small acts of rebellion against the constraints of society. It offers a glimpse into the private lives of individuals navigating a world of rigid social norms, their stories etched into the very fabric of the object.