Sugar Bowl 1847 - 1848

This delicate sugar bowl was produced by Fenton's Works sometime in the mid-19th century. At this time, the Ohio River Valley was the epicenter of American glass production, in part due to the abundance of natural resources, but also due to its proximity to expanding markets. This seemingly innocuous object invites us to consider the complex historical and social narratives embedded in sugar itself. During the 1800s sugar production relied heavily on enslaved labor. The sugar bowl becomes a symbol of a complex network of trade, labor, and consumption that spanned continents. The whiteness of the glass is perhaps reminiscent of the refined sugar it once held, obscuring the dark history of its production. Consider the hands that harvested the sugarcane, the artisans who crafted the bowl, and the families who gathered around tables to partake in its sweetness. It asks us to reflect on the sweetness of life and the bitter realities of history.