Creamer 1797 - 1800

This Creamer was crafted from silver by Hugh Wishart, a New York silversmith active in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Creamers like this one were integral to tea and coffee services, which became emblems of refinement and social status. Think about the era in which Wishart lived: the newly formed United States, where wealth and class were being redefined. Silver objects like this creamer weren't just functional; they were statements. Who owned them, how they were used, and who they were displayed to all spoke volumes about a family's position in society. It represents a moment in American history when objects began to carry significant cultural weight, reflecting aspirations of gentility and belonging. Consider how something as simple as a creamer could be tied to identity, wealth, and the intricate social dynamics of the time.