Ladle 1760 - 1770

This is a silver ladle with a wooden handle, crafted by Benjamin Halsted, a New York silversmith active in the late 18th century. This object speaks volumes about the social and economic structures of colonial America. Halsted was part of a network of artisans catering to the wealthy merchant class. Silver objects like this ladle were not just functional; they were symbols of status and refinement. But consider the source of this wealth: often tied to transatlantic trade, including the trade of enslaved people and goods produced by enslaved labor. This creates an uncomfortable tension: the beauty and craftsmanship of the ladle are entangled with a history of exploitation and violence. The wooden handle is an interesting detail. Was this a stylistic choice, or a practical response to material constraints? What does it say about the blending of cultures and resources in a colonial context? As you consider the ladle, think about the complex web of power, privilege, and labor that shaped its creation, and what it tells us about early American society.