Porringer c. 1725

Curator: Here in gallery 205, we're looking at a silver porringer, a small, handled bowl dating back to around 1725. It's a charming example of decorative art from the early 18th century, currently residing at The Art Institute of Chicago. Editor: Oh, it’s smaller than I imagined! It gives off a quaint, almost fairytale-like vibe. Something you’d use to feed a prince or a pampered cat. Curator: Indeed. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the porringer is fascinating from a social history perspective. Consider the context: silver was a valuable commodity, indicating that its owner possessed considerable wealth and social standing. Access to such items reflects power dynamics within colonial society. Editor: Power dynamics served with a side of gruel? Sorry, I had to. Seriously, though, what was it actually used for? Because that handle looks fancy but not super practical. Curator: Porringers were commonly used for serving liquid foods such as broth, porridge, or even small servings of alcoholic beverages. The handle, while decorative, did allow it to be held more comfortably than a bowl without one. What fascinates me is thinking about whose hands held it, who was being fed. This vessel speaks to issues of gender, class and race, reflecting the complex history of early America. Editor: Right, and not always in a comfortable way. I bet there were a lot of people whose hands would *never* get to hold something this precious, let alone eat out of it. It’s strange, isn’t it? An object can be beautiful but also… kind of a symbol of oppression? Curator: Precisely. Material culture serves as tangible evidence of larger structural inequalities. We analyze an object like this, interrogating its provenance and use, to better understand historical narratives and hierarchies. What stories are whispered within its hammered surface? Editor: Stories of privilege, definitely. But maybe also stories of survival, of small comforts amidst a harsh world. Someone, somewhere, probably really loved having their soup in this bowl. It’s a little bittersweet, that thought. Curator: It encapsulates that tension beautifully. Everyday luxury within profound injustice. It makes one reflect, even centuries later. Editor: Exactly. And it makes you think twice before drooling over shiny silver, right? Curator: Definitely. The object invites necessary, difficult dialogues about the past and how its repercussions ripple into our present moment. Thank you for lending your personal perspective. Editor: Any time. Glad to stir the pot, so to speak!