Caster 1730 - 1765

This is a silver caster, standing less than five inches tall, crafted by the artist I. B. Utilitarian objects such as this caster are revealing of social customs and cultural values. Sugar was a coveted commodity, a symbol of luxury and status, its use deeply entwined with the history of colonialism and the exploitation of enslaved labor. Who had access to this sweetener and who did not speaks volumes about the economic and racial hierarchies of the time. Consider the hands that would have held this object. A silent witness to the rituals of dining and display, it embodies both the sweetness of privilege and the bitter legacy of its origins. The caster is a reminder of the intricate web connecting everyday objects with global histories of power, trade, and human experience.