Dram Cup 1722 - 1723

Editor: Here we have a silver Dram Cup, created by George Greenhill Jones. It seems quite small and delicate, almost ceremonial. What narratives do you see embedded within such an object? Curator: The Dram Cup speaks volumes about class and social rituals. Silverware, often associated with wealth and power, highlights the historical disparities in access to resources. Who might have used this cup, and what did that signify about their social standing? Editor: So, it’s not just about the object itself, but who it represents and excludes. Curator: Precisely. Consider the labor involved in its creation, likely exploited. This cup becomes a symbol of inequality. How does that change your perspective? Editor: It makes me question the stories we tell about luxury and who benefits from them. Thanks for sharing your insights. Curator: And thank you for prompting this reflection on the cup's complex social history.