Salver c. 1715

This salver, made of silver by Edward Winslow, offers us a glimpse into the life of early colonial America. Winslow, a silversmith born in Boston, crafted this piece during a time when the colonies were developing their own unique cultural identity, separate from Europe but intertwined with its economy and social norms. Considered a luxury item, this salver speaks volumes about class distinctions in colonial society. Silverware represented wealth and status, reflecting the owner's position within the community. But let’s also remember that the wealth that allowed for such luxury items was often accumulated through trades that included the labor of enslaved people. The elegance of this piece stands in stark contrast to the brutality of the system that supported it. The salver's design, while seemingly simple, hints at a conscious effort to establish a distinct American aesthetic. It invites us to reflect on the complexities of identity formation in a new land, where aspirations of refinement were complicated by the realities of exploitation and inequality.