Sugar bowl 1775 - 1781

This sugar bowl was crafted by Pierre Benardié in the 18th century, a period defined by opulence and burgeoning trade. Benardié, a master silversmith, likely catered to the aristocracy whose tables were laden with the spoils of global commerce, including sugar. Consider the duality of this delicate object. Sugar, once a rare luxury, became a staple fueled by the brutal realities of colonialism and slavery. This bowl, with its ornate decorations and refined craftsmanship, stands as a symbol of wealth and privilege, masking the profound human cost of its contents. Touched by the hands of servants and displayed as a mark of status, the sugar bowl becomes a silent witness to the complex social hierarchies of its time. It invites us to reflect on the intertwined histories of luxury, exploitation, and the lingering echoes of colonialism in our present-day consumption.