Waste Bowl 1770 - 1800

This waste bowl was crafted in the late 18th century by John Letelier Sr., a silversmith active in New York. A seemingly simple vessel, its creation and use are deeply entwined with the social fabric of its time. In colonial America, silver objects like this were not just functional items; they were potent symbols of wealth and status. Owning such a piece signaled membership in the upper echelons of society. The bowl's very purpose, to collect waste, speaks volumes about a culture of consumption and display. Looking closely, one can discern the engraved initials of its owner, further cementing its connection to a specific family and their social standing. To fully understand this waste bowl, we might delve into colonial-era trade records, genealogical archives, and even conduct material analysis. In doing so, we reveal how deeply objects are embedded in social and institutional histories.