Mustard Pot 1788 - 1789

Editor: Here we have a small, silver Mustard Pot by Samuel Godbehere, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. The form is quite geometric, almost severe, yet the handle is so ornate. How might we understand this piece in relation to its time? Curator: That tension between severity and ornamentation is key. Silverware like this often reflected social status and evolving tastes. Who owned it, how it was displayed, and the rituals surrounding its use tell us much about the cultural values of the elite. Can you imagine the social context for which this object was made? Editor: I suppose I hadn't considered it beyond its aesthetic appeal. Thinking about the social rituals definitely adds another layer of complexity. Curator: Exactly! It's about more than just beauty; it's about power, class, and the performance of gentility. Editor: I’ll definitely look at silverware differently now, recognizing its social narrative.