Toddy ladle 1740 - 1760

This is a Toddy Ladle made of silver with a wooden handle, created by Daniel Dupuy, a Philadelphia silversmith active in the late 18th century. An object like this reflects the material culture of the colonial elite. Drinking customs in colonial America, particularly the consumption of alcoholic beverages like toddies, were deeply embedded in social rituals. The sharing of toddies from a communal bowl, using a ladle such as this, signified hospitality, camaraderie, and social status. Dupuy’s ladle, crafted from precious silver, speaks to the economic structures of the time. Silverware in colonial society was a marker of wealth and gentility. Through objects like this, we see the embodiment of social aspirations and class distinctions. Understanding this piece requires a dive into historical records like probate inventories, merchant ledgers, and etiquette manuals. We begin to appreciate how seemingly simple objects are laden with social meaning, revealing the intricate web of power, status, and cultural values of a bygone era.