Bean pot 1849 - 1858

This bean pot was made by Lyman, Fenton & Co. sometime after 1849. Its form presents a compelling study in domestic symbolism. Note the vessel's rounded body and sturdy handle, evoking notions of warmth, sustenance, and the hearth—archetypal symbols of home and family. Consider the humble bean. Across cultures, legumes represent fertility, growth, and communal sustenance. From ancient Roman feasts to Native American planting ceremonies, beans carry a legacy far beyond simple nourishment. Even in the decorative ridges adorning the pot, there is an echo of the furrows of a cultivated field. This pot is not merely a kitchen tool, but a container of collective memory. It embodies the deeply rooted human need for nourishment and belonging. Though seemingly simple, this piece resonates with primal, universal themes.