"Bullet & Emblem" pattern cream pitcher 1870 - 1900

Curator: This object, a cream pitcher called "Bullet & Emblem", made between 1870 and 1900, immediately struck me as a potent symbol, an everyday object imbued with complicated ideologies. What do you make of it? Editor: It's deceptively simple. It's a small, clear glass pitcher decorated with an American eagle and a shield, yet the name, “Bullet & Emblem,” suggests violence intertwined with patriotism. How do you interpret that tension? Curator: Precisely. Consider the era, post-Civil War America, and the narratives being constructed around national identity. The “emblem” represents the idealized image of the nation: freedom, unity, power. But what does “bullet” signify? Is it about projecting dominance abroad, through military force, or quelling dissent at home, suppressing the rights and experiences of marginalized communities? Editor: It’s disturbing to think of such violence being associated with an object used to serve cream at the table. Curator: Exactly! This seemingly innocuous object forces us to confront the violence inherent in the nation's foundation and expansion, reminding us to interrogate who is included—and excluded—from this emblem of "freedom." Who enjoyed the privilege of cream, and whose labor produced it? Does it trigger thoughts of American exceptionalism? Editor: It really does challenge the idea of America as a purely benevolent force. Curator: And think about its display in the Art Institute today. How does its context change the message? Editor: I hadn't thought about that. Placing it in a museum setting elevates it, maybe even sanitizes it? Curator: Perhaps. Or it could invite critical engagement with these historical narratives, encouraging visitors to reflect on how those narratives continue to shape contemporary politics and identity. This seemingly simple object becomes a potent catalyst for complex conversations. Editor: I’ll never look at decorative art the same way again. Thanks for making me question the history embedded within the design.