Basin 1770 - 1870

This basin was made by Samuel Hamlin, a pewterer working in late 18th century America. Hamlin's work provides a window onto the economic and social world of the early republic. Pewter was a common material for domestic objects like this basin. Its presence in a museum today speaks to changing values around craft and industry. In Hamlin's time, a pewterer was a tradesman, producing functional goods for a local market. Signifying this, Hamlin's stamp is visible in the center of the basin, a mark of pride in his work. Today, the basin has become a precious object. Its display in a museum elevates it from functional ware to a historical artifact, a testament to early American craftsmanship. Hamlin's basin prompts us to consider how museums shape our understanding of art and labor. By researching Hamlin's life and the broader context of early American manufacturing, we can better understand the cultural and social values that shaped his work and its later reception.