Cann 1746

This Cann was crafted in Boston by Samuel Edwards, a silversmith active during the first half of the 18th century. This object gives us a glimpse into the material culture of early colonial America. The cann, essentially a large drinking mug, speaks to the social rituals of the time. Taverns and homes alike were places for the exchange of news and conducting business, all lubricated by alcohol, especially beer, cider, and rum. Silver, of course, connoted wealth and status, signaling the owner's place in the nascent colonial hierarchy. In a society increasingly defined by commerce and nascent capitalism, this kind of display was more important than ever. Historians use objects like this alongside probate inventories, newspapers, and other documents to reconstruct the lives and values of people who lived long ago. This cann is not just a vessel, but a container of stories about class, commerce, and community in early America.