Salver 1760 - 1770

This silver salver was made by William Homer, a craftsman active during a period of significant social and political transformation in England. Homer lived through the expansion of the British Empire and the entrenchment of a class-based society. While the salver appears as a simple serving tray, it represents the complex dynamics of power and consumption during the 18th century. Silverware like this was not merely functional; it was a symbol of wealth, status, and taste. Consider the labor and resources required to produce such an item. This salver reflects the colonial exploitation that fueled the wealth of the British elite, who could afford such luxuries. The craftsmanship itself speaks to the skilled labor of artisans like Homer, whose work often went unacknowledged in the shadow of their patrons' opulence. Reflecting on this object, we are prompted to think about the human stories behind the gleaming surface. The salver serves as a reminder of the intricate relationships between identity, labor, and colonial history.