Plate 1761 - 1793

This pewter plate was made by Henry Will, a colonial American craftsman, sometime in the late 18th century. While seemingly simple, objects like this tell us a lot about the social and economic fabric of the time. Pewter was a common material for dishware in colonial America, less expensive than silver but more durable than earthenware. Will, working in New York, produced a range of pewter objects for a growing consumer market. The colonies were increasingly tied to transatlantic trade networks, importing raw materials and exporting finished goods. Consider the role of craft guilds and apprenticeship systems in shaping artistic production. Will, as a master craftsman, would have trained apprentices in his workshop, passing on skills and traditions. By studying account books, probate inventories, and other historical records, we can learn more about the lives of artisans like Will and the world in which they lived and worked. The meaning of this plate lies in its connection to these social and institutional contexts.