Dram Cup 1690 - 1700

Jacob Boelen, a New York silversmith, crafted this silver Dram Cup sometime before his death in 1729. Boelen's position as a Dutch American artisan provides an interesting lens through which to view early American craftsmanship. The cup, simple in its form, speaks volumes about the rituals of early colonial life. Consider the social dynamics embedded in an object like this; it’s a personal item, yet it’s meant for sharing a small portion of liquor. Who was sharing this cup, and under what circumstances? Whose labor enabled the Boelen family to prosper? The hammered texture of the silver and the delicate twisted handles offer a tactile elegance. It invites a moment of reflection on how everyday objects carry within them the echoes of history, of personal stories intertwined with broader cultural narratives. It serves as a reminder of how the simple act of sharing a drink can reflect the complex layers of identity and social interaction in early America.