Mug 1795 - 1816

This pewter mug was crafted by Samuel Danforth, a master artisan, in the late 18th or early 19th century. The vessel's form is a study in the symbolic life of containers, echoing ancient amphorae. The mug's handle, a seemingly straightforward element, carries the echo of the 'cornucopia', or horn of plenty, which has roots in antiquity. From the Grecian goddess of fortune, Tyche, to the Roman Abundantia, the curved horn has signified prosperity. What was once a symbol of overflowing bounty, depicted with fruits and flowers, is reduced here to the austere curve of a handle, a vestige of abundance. This utilitarian object invites one to consider how symbols once brimming with effusive meaning transform through time and usage, often distilled to subtle gestures. Like a dream, the mug touches on primal memories of sustenance and security, engaging the viewer on a deeply subconscious level. Indeed, the form of this mug is not static but an ever-evolving script.