Porringer 1769 - 1787

This porringer was made by Joseph Belcher Sr., a silversmith active in Massachusetts during the mid-18th century. Crafted from pewter, an alloy of tin with small amounts of other metals like lead or copper, it served as a vessel for feeding children. Pewter was a popular material in colonial America due to its affordability and ease of working, and because of its ability to mimic the look of silver at a fraction of the cost. To make a piece like this, the pewter would have been cast in a mold, then carefully tooled and polished to achieve its smooth, reflective surface. The pierced handle, a delicate flourish, added both visual appeal and a practical grip. The use of pewter speaks volumes about the social context of early America, where access to luxury materials was limited. This porringer, though humble in material, embodies the values of resourcefulness and skillful craftsmanship, reminding us that beauty and utility can be found even in the simplest of objects.