Kandijbakje 1746

This is a silver Kandijbakje, or sugar bowl, crafted by Gerrit Boverhof, who lived between 1696 and 1772. This piece gives us insight into the world of the Dutch elite during the 18th century, a world where sugar consumption was a potent symbol of status and global trade. Sugar, harvested by enslaved people in the colonies, made its way to Europe and into objects just like this. The sugar bowl becomes a symbol of both luxury and exploitation. Consider the weight of this object and how it feels to hold the bowl. Think about the hands that harvested the sugar it once held, and consider how an object of beauty can also be a reminder of a painful history.